





>^% 

-^f?* 



(^ t^-iX^y^y^Uit LlXjl^cLZurrb 



1r 



V1 



I 




Class "F 14- 
Book_auTli. 



I 

i 



If 







■<-. 



fIRST GOVERNOR 




OF MAS SAC HP SETTS 







X 



CENTENNIAL 



CELEBRATI ON, 



AT DANVERS, MASS. 



JUNE 16, 1862. 



"Lives there a man with soul so dead, 
Who never to liimself hath said, 
Tliis is my owx, my native land ?" 

Scott. 






BOSTON: 

FEINTED BY BUTTON AND WENTWOETH, 

No. 37, Congress Street. 

1852. 









a^: 



ADDRESS, 

BY JOHN W. PROCTOR, 



Welcome, friends of Danvers, to the land of your birth, and 
of your choice! 

It gladdens the heart to meet so many cheerful^countenances 
on this One Hundredth Anniversary of the independent munici- 
pal existence of our town. 

In behalf of my fellow-citizens, I bid you all a hearty wel- 
come here. Your presence gives assurance that we have not 
mistaken your sympathies with the occasion of our meeting. 

Why these thronging crowds in every avenue of the town ? 

Why has the farmer left his plough, — the tanner his vat, — 
the cun'ie?- his beatu, — -the trader his shop, — the shoemaker his 
bench, and every one his employment ? 

Why this gathering of thousands of children, — the future 
men and women, to govern and adorn, — and the interest that 
beams in every expression of their animated countenances ? 

Why have our friends from the North, the South, the East, 
and the West, favored us with their presence ? 

Is it not to bring to mind the virtues, the toils, the suferings 
of our fathers ? 

" It is a privilege to learn what shall be from what has been,— 
to turn experience, into prophecy, — to view in the mirror of the 
past, the vision of the future^ 

The settlement of Salem, early known as Naumkeag, was 
begun by Roger Conant and others, in 1626, and much in- 
creased, in 1628, by the arrival of John Endicott and others, 
all emigrants from England. 
1 a 



It then included Salem, Danvers, Beverly, Marblehead, Wen- 
ham, and parts of Topsfield, Manchester, Lynn, and Middleton, 
bounding northerly by Agawam, southerly by Saugus, westerly 
by Andover, easterly by the Atlantic ocean. Then Saugus, 
Salem, Gloucester, Agawam, and Newbury, extended all along 
the coast of Essex to the Merrimack ; and Andover was the 
only interior town south of that river. 

Whoever would do justice to the topics brought to mind by 
the occasion, should trace the origin of each of the towns that 
have sprung from Old Naumkeag. Time will not now admit 
of this. My purpose is, to pass over the first century of Naum- 
keag, excepting as to the part included in the act of the Legis- 
lature, passed "Anno Regni Regis Georgii secundi, &c., vices- 
simor quinto," — or, in plain English, the 25th year of George 
the 2d, our then Royal Master, — or Anno Domini, 1752. By 
this, Danvers was set off from Salem, as a distinct municipal 
district, with all the privileges of a town, except that of choos- 
ing representatives to the General Court, which restrictive con- 
dition was taken off by an act passed June 16tli, 1757. Upon 
a view of these acts, the town determined to date their inde- 
pendent corporate existence in the year 1752, — which determi- 
nation Ave take to be conclusive of the matter. 

Our then Royal Master did I say ? By the grace of God, 
and the pleasure of the King, then came all our privileges. I 
know that the generations which have since arisen have but an 
imperfect idea of this obligation to the king, but a grievance it 
was, and so our fathers felt it to be. 

What do we most desire ? Is it not independence ? In the 
language of the most gifted mind* of the age, (I say it with 
emphasis on this 16th day of June, A. D. 1852,) when the 
aspirations of millions are turned towards him with anxious 
solicitude, " Hail, Independence ! Hail, that best gift of God * 
to man, saving life and an immortal spirit !" That Indepen- 
dence, which gave us 

" A Church without a bishop, 
A State without a king" 

* Daniel Webster, the fanner of Marshfield, Mass. 



< 



NAME OF DANVERS. 



Whence came the name of Danvers ? why appHed to this 
territory ? are inquiries often made, but never, to my knowledge, 
quite satisfactorily answered. 

For years before the separation, the name Danvers was occa- 
sionally applied to the middle precinct of Salem. Among the 
settlers, prior to the separation, were several by the name of 
Osborne, — a name connected, by marriage, with the Daiivers 
family in England. Earl Danvers was one of the regicides, 
the fifth who signed the death-warrant of Charles. Sir Henry 
Danvers, the last of this family, died in 1643, a man of wealth, 
as is to be presumed from his liberal donation of £5000 and 
more for the advancement of learning in the University of Ox- 
ford. It is highly probable, the name of the town was derived 
from this family. This name has one merit, — it is not found 
anywhere else. Mr. Felt, the careful annalist of Salem, thinks 
the name was suggested by Lieut. Gov. Phipps, from gratitude 
to one of his patrons, and refers to a letter that so states the 
fact. It may have been so. But if the people of Danvers were 
then so obedient as to adopt a name because a Govei^nor sug- 
gested it, it is a characteristic that has not remained one of 
their distinguishing qualifications. Few towns have been less 
disposed to follow the lead of any master. This example was 
early set by their file leader, Gov. Endicott. 

If the noble Earl, for whom the name was probably given, 
had anticipated the perpetuity to accrue to his name in this 
humble district of these Western Wilds, and the present wants 
of its High Schools, now sheltered only in hired tenements of 
cast-off chapels, he would, without doubt, have contributed of 
his abundance to the relief of their necessities. 

This era of separation has not been chosen for celebration 
because of the severance. Though severed in name, we have 
ever been united in spirit ; and though our good old mother, 
Salem, nursed us at her bosom all of one century, she has not 
failed to feed us with pap of various kinds, ever since. Some- 
times we have given her sauce in return, but oftener the sub- 
stantials of life. 



6 

Notwithstanding our fathers thought many inconveniences 
would be remedied, and many advantages gained, by being a 
distinct town, as appears by their petition to the General Court, 
it must be apparent to every reflecting mind that the balance of 
benefits, consequent upon separation, was against us. True, 
being a distinct corporation created a few municipal offices, for 
the gratification of ambitious aspirants ; but generally speaking, 
;a review of the lives of such office holders will show, that those 
who have least, fare best ; and those who strive to do most^ 
instead of receiving benedictions, are usually loaded with the 
opposite. 

The petitioners were a scattered population of about 200 
families, containing from twelve to fourteen hundred persons, 
chiefly occupied in the cultivation of the land. Those from 
whom they sought to be separated, were mariners, traders, and 
merchants, densely located, with interests, in some measure, 
clashing with those on the borders. The busy hum of mechan- 
ical and manufacturing industry had then scarcely begun to be 
heard in the village of Brooksby, as the region hereabout was 
then called, where the brooks from the hills united with the 
waters of the ocean. 

At first, towns assumed to own all the lands within their 
limits not specifically granted. Grants were made, by the 
colonial authority, or by towns through the agency of seven 
men, or selectmen, according to the standing of the grantees, or 
•services rendered, — as seats in the church were assigned, first 
to the Captain, then to the Lieutenant, not omitting the En- 
sign, and the Corporal. Thus the records speak of 

Captain Samuel Gardner, 

Lieutenant Thomas Putnam, 

Ensign Cornelius Tarbell, 

Corporal Samuel Twist, 

Deacon Malachi Felton, 

Daniel Eppes, Esquire, 
arranged in the order of the consequence of the titles they sev- 
erally mounted. 

These are referred to as illustrations of the style of the times, 



— as our kind friends from the school districts have shown us 
cocked hats, hooped petticoats, and high-heeled shoes, as illustra- 
tions of dress in times gone by.* 

It was of little consequence what the title was, as Corporal 
Twist said, on his return home after his election, " if it had the 
ril to it, — so that when the bell tolled at his funeral it could be 
said, Corporal Twist is dead.^' 

Who will presume to say, that, in the term Corporal, there is 
not as much body, aye soul to, as in that of General ? 

" Worth makes the man, the want of it the fellow." 

But three instances of colonial grants are known to have been 
made on our territory, viz. : — 1. To John Endicott, in 1632 
and 1636; 2. To Samuel Shelton, in 1634; 3. To John 
Humphrey, in 1635. 

The grant to Endicott is thus described. " A neck of land 
lying about three myles from Salem, called in the Indian tongue, 
Wahquai7ieschock," situate between the inlets of the sea, now 
known as Waters River on the south, and Crane River on the 
north, bounding "westerly by the maine land." Such was the 
precision of early grants. 

* My recollections of the " Jlge of Homespun," impresses my mind stronjifly 
with the propriety of the following passage in a Centennial discourse by Dr. 
Bushnell, at Litchfield, Conn., in August last: — " The spinning-wheels of wool 
and flax, that used to buzz so familiarly in the childish ears of some of us, will 
be heard no more forever, — seen no more, in fact, save in the halls of the anti- 
quarian society, where the delicate daugliters will be asking what these strange 
machines are, and how they are made to go ? The huge hewn-timber looms, 
that used to occupy a room by themselves in the famhouses, will be gone, 
cut up for cord wood perhaps, and their heavy thwack, beating up the woof, 
will be heard no more by the passer-by. The long strips of linen bleaching 
on the grass, and tended by a rosy-cheeked maiden sprinkling them each hour 
from her water can, under a burning sun, thus to prepare Imen for her own 
or her brother's marriage outfit, will have disappeared, save as they return to 
fill a picture in some novel or ballad of the old time." Who will presume to 
say, that, in these labors of our mothers, will not be found the hidden power 
that gave firmness to the muscles and vigor to the constitutions of their de- 
scendants ? I would give more for the lessons learned on one spimmig-wheel, 
or over one milk pail, than those acquired on ten piano fortes. I have often 
thought that girls would profit more by learning to jump over fences or clamber 
ledges, than by dancing polkas, or practising other fashionable amusements, — 
many of which are better calculated to excite the passions, than to improve the 
health of body or mind. There is much propriety in the admonition, "Lead us 
not into temptation." 



8 



r 



On a beautiful eminence between these rivers, Captain E., 
who, as acting governor, was chief magistrate of the colony- 
previous to the arrival of Winthrop in 1630, established his 
residence. The selection of this site speaks favorably of the 
judgment of the man. It would be difficult to find one more 
eligible. For two hundred years at least it remained in the 
Endicott family ; and when the ability of many of those, who 
still bear the name, is considered, it is matter of surprise that 
they should have suffered it to pass from the family. How can 
a man better do honor to himself, than by venerating his ances- 
tors who were worthy of it ? I know, our republican notions 
cut across the doctrine of entailments ; but still, there is some- 
thing impressive in the contemplation of those venerable 
abodes, in our fatherland, that have remained in the same 
family for centuries. The fortunate possessor, thus advised of 
what his fathers have done, ife prompted to endeavor to " go 
and do likewise." 

From this position, before roads were laid or bridges con- 
structed, the Governor was accustomed to go, in his own 
shallop, to and from the seat of government at Boston, while 
engaged in the government of the colony, either as chief magis- 
trate or as one of the assistants. 

On this orchard farm (so it was called) in front of the man- 
sion about sixty rods, now stands the celebrated Endicott pear 
tree, celebrated not so much for the fruit it bears, as for the 
time it has borne it. It is probably the oldest cultivated fruit- 
bearing tree in New England, — itself brought from Old Eng- 
land, — thereby constituting a direct connecting link with the 
mother country. The fruit is called Bon Chretien, — whether 
so called from its own merits, or the merits of its owner, I am 
not advised. It is of medium size and fair quality, but not 
quite equal to the Seckel. In 1850, the tree bore one and a 
half bushels of fruit, as I myself witnessed, and new shoots | 

grew upon it, more than six inches in length. One thing is j, 

made certain by this tree, viz., that a pear tree will last two i'" 

hundred years, — how much longer may be told at the next 
Centennial. 



^ 



On this same Endicott grant, now stands the Parris house (so 
called) from whicli sprung other fruits'^ not quite as worthy the 
name of good Cliristiun as the Endicott pear. 

The grant made to Rev. Samuel Skelton, — the spiritual father 
of Endicott, and associate pastor with Higgirison, at the First 
Church in Salem, — was situate between Crane and Porter's 
Rivers, bounding westerly, also, by the --maine land." So at 
first, these grahts to the Captain and the Parson gave them 
a presumptive title to all the town northerly of Waters River. 
This section between Crane and Porter's Rivers was long 
known as Skelton's Neck ; — then as New Mills : — and recently 
as Danvers-port. 

The natural advantages of this part of the town are second 
to none other. Free communication with the ocean by water, 
and with the interior by railroads, its facilities for business are 
first rate. It only needs energy and capital to go ahead. 

In 1635, a grant was made by the colonial authority to John: 
Humphrey, in the westerly part of the town, — whence came 
the name of Humphrey's Pond, situate on the line between 
Danvers and Lynnfield ; a beautiful sheet of water, containing 
165 acres, about 100 feet above tide water; — in the midst of 
which is an island of five acres, on which the first settlers had a 
fortification as a retreat from the Indians. The recent location 
of a railroad from Salem to Boston, by this pond, has probably 
laid the foundation of a thrifty village in this vicinity, — as soon 
as the lands shall pass from the hands of visionary speculators 
to the control of men of sound, practical common sense. 

December 31, 1638. -'Agreed and voted, that there should 
be a village granted to Mr. Phillips and his company, upon such 
conditions as the seven men appointed for the town affaii-es 
should agree on." Hence the origin of Salem Yillagc. This 
Mr. Phillips Avas a clergyman. He did not long abide in the 
place. He removed to Dedham, and thence to England, in 
1642. Probably Putnam. Hutchinson, Goodale, Flint, Need- 
ham, Buxton, Swinnerton, Andrews, Fuher, Walcott, Pope, 

* See the story of the Salem Witchcraft, that follows, 
2 h 



10 

Rea, Osborn, Felton, and others, were of the associates in the 

settlement of the village. Their business was farming. Labor 

in the field for six days of the week, and going to meeting on 

the sevenili, was their chief employment. Companions of 

Endicott, the puritan principles they imbibed, even to the third 

and fourth generations, bound them to their meeting. He that 

cut the ci'oss from the flag, Avould not allow his attendants to 

sail under any other banner than such as he chose to hoist, or 

any deviation in their voyage. He was one of those lovers of ^ 

liberty who was not unwilling to engross the largest share of it 

himself. Sure that he was right, he felt it to be his duty to 

see that others acted according to his notions of i^ight. He 

was indulgent to those who were obedient. 

One of the grievances alleged by the petitioners, as a reason 
for separation, was, that their children could not conveniently 
attend school. This was indeed a grievance. Situate four, 
five, and six miles from the school, how could they attend ? 
Early taught by Endicott himself the value of these institutions, 
it is not surprising, when they found the superior advantages 
enjoyed by the children of their fellow townsmen, in part at 
their expense, that complaint should have been made. 

Be it remembered, the first free school in the land, if not in 
the world, was established at Salem. The language of the 
selectmen's order, by which this was done, is worthy to be 
inscribed on the same tablet with the Declaration of Independ- 
ence. It reads thus : — 

"Sept., 1641. Ordered, that a note be published on next 
Lecture-day, that such as have children to be kept at schoole, 
would bring in their names, and what they will give for one 
whole year : and also that if anie poor bodie hath children, or 
a childe, to be put to schoole, and is not able to pay for their 
schooling, tJiat the townc will pay it by a rate.''"' 

Here is the seed whence sprung the free schools of Massa- 
chusetts. It contains the germ of freedom itself. Here it was 
planted, on the orchard farm of the Governor, under his own ^ 

care, as Governor of the Colony, and Chairman of the Select- 
men of Salem. Governors in those days were well employed 



11 

My 

V in looking after the fruits of the field and the children of the 

household ; — the oozings of the still did not then trouble them* 

111 1634, one of the earliest grants was made to John Putnam 
and his three sons, Thomas, John, and Nathaniel. They came 
from Buckinghamshire, England, settled, cultivated, and peopled 
it. This was situate in the Village Parish, westerly of the 
grants to Skelton and Porter ; probably along the line of what 
is now known as Whipple's Brook, extending from Judge 
Putnam's Mill to the house of Daniel Putnam, — famous as the 
birth-place of Gen. Israel Putnam, who made his mark on 
Bunker's Heights, at Charlestown, June 17th, 1775, witnessed 
by Warren, and many others, and sealed with their blood ; — he 
who nobly exclaimed, " My sons, scorn to be slaves ! " 

No name is more prominent in the annals of the town than 
that of Putnam. Although hundreds have gone out in all 
directions, still, from the beginning, there has been more of this 
name than any other. By the kindness of Col. Perley Putnam, 
— who has taken unwearied pains to ascertain the facts, — I am 
informed that he has the particulars of between five and six 
hundred families of the name ; many of whom had from ten to 
seventeen children, — amounting in all to 3500 descendants of 
John, in 220 years, an increase worthy of the highest com- 
mendation of Adam Smith, who considers numbers the first of 
all national improvements. If all the settlers had done as well, 
both in quantity and quality, there Avould have been no occa- 
sion for further importations. I should be glad to notice the 
worthy, particularly ; but if all should be thus noticed, the 
world would scarcely contain the books that would be written. 
I am happy to see so many present, of age and ability, to speak 
for themselves ; and from them I hope to hear an account more 
full than is in my power to give. 

Another grant, purporting to be 500 acres, (covering, at least, 

• * In Felt's Annals, (Vol. I., p. 253,) it is stated that William Trask ex- 

changed with Governor Endicott 250 acres of land for 500 apple trees, from 
^ his nursery ; — a pretty good bargain, if trees grew then as readily as now. It 

is highly probable that the space between the mansion of the Governor, and 
the bank of the river, in front, was used for the growing of a nursery. I am 
well assured of this fact by S. P. Fowler, Esq., an intelligent cultivator of 
fruit, residing on Skelton's Neck. 



12 

700,) was made in 1635, to Emanuel, a descendant of Sir 
George Downing, and known as the Downing Estate, (on 
which it was my lot to be born.) This extended southwesterly, 
from the head of Waters River, to what is now known as 
Proctor's Brook; and in 1701, passed by deed from Charles 
Downing to Benjamin and Thorndike Proctor, sons of John, 
(of 1692 notoriety.) Tliis included the tract of tillage land, 
in times past known as Hog-hill, but recently christened Mount 
Pleasant, — and with great propriety, if fertility of soil and 
beauty of prospect are considerations worthy of this appellation. 

Another grant, of 300 acres, southerly of this, was made 
to Robert Cole, — extending from Gardener's Bridge to the 
Downing Estate, — which passed through Jacob Reed to Daniel 
Eppes, Esq. On this tract sprung the celebrated Eppes Sweet- 
ing, better knoAvn as the Danvers Winter Siveet ; a variety of 
apple more extensively cultivated than any which has originated 
in Massachusetts, — excepting the Baldwin and the Hubbardston 
Nonsuch. This tree stood on land now belonging to the Hon. 
Richard S. Rogers. The original stump is now distinctly to 
be seen, with a sprout from it ten inches in diameter, yielding 
the genuine apple ; clearly indicating the fruit to be natwal, — 
not grafted. The tree is thrifty and hardy, the fruit excellent ; 
as all lovers of apples and milk will cheerfully testify. 

It would be easy to enumerate many other grants of land 
to individuals, all of which would be interesting to those of the 
same name, or to those claiming under them ; but my limits 
will not admit of anything more than a specimen of the manner 
of doing the business in olden time. 

WITCHCRAFT DELUSION. 

The events of the year 1692, commonly spoken of as Salem 
Witchcraft, made an impression so deep on this community, 
.that they cannot with propriety be overlooked, in any complete 
tnotice of the town. More than twenty citizens, some of the 
ffirst respectability, were, in the course of a few months, ar- 
raigned charged with capital offences. Half this number suf- 
fered the severest penalty of the law. For this precinct, con- 



i 



13 

taming at that time probably not more than five hundred souls, 
to be thus decimated in a few months, was a calamity tremen- 
dously awful. Now-a-days, when one man* is arraigned, tried 
and executed, for good cause, (if there ever can be a good cause 
for execution,) the whole state, as well as states adjoining, are 
agitated to their centre. What could have induced the apathy 
that endured such things then, it is impossible to conceive. 

This moral mania is said to have originated with children, 
under twelve years of age, in the family of the Rev. Samuel 
Parris, of Salem Village. A part of the identical building in 
which Mr. Parris then lived, it is said, now remains, situate 
on the easterly side of the Ipswich road, about twenty rods 
northerly of the Collins house. It then was a part of the par- 
sonage, standing a few rods northwesterly of the village church. 
It should ever remain a monument with this inscription, "Obsta 
pj'incipiis.^^ 

Although this delusion may have begun with children, it was 
not the work of children alone. It is chargeable upon those of 
an older growth, — upon those whose station in society demand- 
ed from them better things, — clergymen and magistrates. I am 
sensible that I speak plainly of those in authority ; but nothing 
less plain will meet the case. I use the words of "truth and 
soberness." 

Wlien these extravagances in the children were first noticed, 
the Doctor was consulted, and gave his opinion '■'■that they 
were under an evil hand.''^ "This," says Cotton Mather, 
"the neighbors took up and concluded they were bewitched.'^ 
Whether he was a doctor of medicine, of la^o, or of divinity, 
who gave this opinion, I am not advised. Of the name of the 
doctor, history gives no information, — not even the learned Dr. 
Mather's Magnalia, which tells all that was true a7id something 
more. This is certain, the Reverend gentleman, in whose 
house the malady began, and his associates of the neighbor- 
hood, did very little to suppress the evil ; much less than they 
should have done. Says Dr. Mather, "Mr. Parris, seeing the 
condition of his family, desired the presence of some worthy 

* Prof. J. W. Webster, of Cambridge. 



14 

gentlemen of Salem, and some neighbor ministers, to consult 
together at his house ; who when they came, and had inquired 
diligently into the sufferings of the afflicted, concluded they 
were preternatural and feared the hand of Satan was in them." 
I cannot better express my views, than in the terse language of 
the Rev. Dr. Dwight, President of Yale College, who can never 
be charged with want of proper respect for the clergy. 

Says he, "Had Mr. Parris, instead of listening to the com- 
plaints of the children, and holding days of fasting and prayer, 
on occasions so preposterous, applied the rod as it should have 
been ; had the magistrates, instead of receiving the complaints, 
arrested the complainants as disturbers of the peace ; or had the 
Judges of the Court quashed the indictments, as founded on the 
baseless fabric of a vision, and discharged the prisoners, the evil 
might have been arrested, in limine. But unhappily these were 
efforts of reason, which lay beyond the spirit of the times." 

Those who conducted these trials were not only deceived 
themselves, but they were willing to deceive others. They 
were not simply zealous ; but they were corruptly furious. 
They introduced testimony, equally at variance with law, with 
common sense, and with the Scriptures. Children incapable of 
any comprehension of the topics about which they were inter- 
rogated, were in some cases the only witnesses. A venerable 
man was found guilty on the testimony of his own grandchild. 
What is worst of all, the answers desired were put into theii* 
mouths by the illegal forms of the questions proposed. 

Time will not admit of a reference to each of the victims of 
this delusion, that had a home in Danvers. Among them were 
the following : — Rev. George Burroughs, (who himself had 
been a settled minister in the village ; ) Giles Corey, and wife ; 
John Proctor, and wife ; Rebecca Nourse, George Jacobs, Sarah 
Good, John Willard. Dr. Mather estimates the whole number 
of arrests, at 100 ; the whole number executed, at 19. 

I will briefly advert to a few of the cases as samples of the 
whole ; at the same time must say, that in the examination of 
the trials as preserved, I have not noticed a single error, in con- 
duct or opinion, in those who were accused. On the contrary, 



15 

the more prominent were their virtues the more likely were 
they to be accused ; and the less chance had they for escape. 

In the case of John Proctor, (whose character I feel in duty 
bound to vindicate from all unjust aspersions,) his only fault was 
a kind regard for his wife. When she was arrested and about to 
be carried to prison, (her health being such as to forbid her being 
imprisoned,) he insisted upon going with her; whereupon, her 
accusers cried out against him, and he was arraigned also. Dur- 
ing his trial the Rev. C. Mather was in Court, (at the special 
solicitation of the prisoner, see his admirable letter of July 23d. 
1692,^ and fearing there might be some hesitation in the minds 
of the jury on account of his well-established character for integ- 
rity and piety, volunteered to testify that he himself had seen his 
Satanic Majesty, tlie Devil, whispering in the ear of the prisoner, 
while there in Court. To every intelligent mind the statement 
of such a fact carries with it its own commentary. The learned 
Doctor must have had the impulses of his own fears, in the eye 
of his mind, when he presumed to give such testimony : not to 
speak of the Avisdom of the judges, who permitted it to be 
given.* 

In the case of Rebecca Nourse, a sister of the Church, of fair 
character, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty ; but the 

* That injustice may not be done to Dr. Mather, whose greatest defect 
seems to have been his egregious vanUy, I will quote the views of Mr. C. Rob- 
bins, of Boston, who appears to have examined the part acted by Dr. Mather 
with much kindness and discrimination. "That Cotton Mather was enchanted 
in the same spell with the other prominent actors in these tragic events ; that 
he was credulous to a ridiculous extreme; that he was inordinately fond of the 
marvellous ; that he was too easily imposed upon ; that his intense and undis- 
guised interest in every case of alleged possession, betrayed him into indis- 
cretions, and laid him open to censure; and that he busied himself unneces- 
sarily with the trials, are facts which rest upon indubitable evidence, — are 
blemishes which can never be wiped away from his name. That he was under 
the influence of any bad motives, any sanguinary feelings ; that he did not 
verily thii.k he was doing God service, and the devil injury ; — the most careful 
examination has failed to make me believe." 

Bred as he was of the blood of the Mathers and Cottons for many genera- 
tions ; reverenced as they had been by the people as the elect of God, before 
whom the people bowed at their nod, as was the custom of the times ; it is not 
surprising that he assumed to dictate. Humility, in those days, was not an 
indispensable qualification in the character of a Christian minister ; on the 
contrary, it was a qualification rarely found in their possession. It is said, "<o 
do all the good he could to all, was his maxim, his study, his labor, his pleasure." 
(Hist, of 2d Church, Boston, p. HI.) 



16 

combined influence of the populace, the church and the clergy, 
brought about her execution. She was first excommunicated, 
then hung ; the first instance of the application of Lynch Law, 
to be found in the annals of New England. 

Giles Corey and Martha his wife, who lived in the western 
part of the town, on the estate recently occupied by the Hon. 
Daniel P. King, were accused and sufl'ered death. He was 
fdghty years old. His contempt for the entire proceedings was 
such, that he stood mute and refused to plead to the accusa- 
tions. Because he so refused, they undertook to press or extort 
an answer from him, and so suffering, he died under the press- 
ure. Thus dying, his body was denied a Christian burial, and 
it is said Avas deposited at the crotch of the roads, near Tapley's' 
brook, as was done with the bodies of infamous malefactors. 
This is the only instance of the application of this kind of tor- 
ture, to my knowledge, in this Commonwealth. The idea is 
most forbidding, A grey-headed veteran thus treated, in a 
Christian land, and by those too who professed to have imbibed 
more than a common share of the spirit of Clirist ! If such be 
a Christian spu'it, how shall the opposite be described ? The 
very thought produces a chill of horror. 

George Burroughs, who, for several years, was a pastor of the 
Village Parish, having removed to Portland, where he was re- 
spectably settled in the ministry, was cried out against by his 
enemies, tried, convicted, and executed with the others, August, 
1692, on Gallows Hill. He is entitled to be remembered with 
high regard, as he had the firmness to resist the infatuations 
that overcame the minds of so many of his brethren. Says 
Mr. Willis, the historian of Portland, "there has nothing sur- 
vived Mr. Burroughs, either in his living or dying, that casts 
any reproach upon his character ; and, although he died a vic- 
tim of a fanaticism as wicked and as stupid as any which has 
been countenanced in civilized society, and which at the time 
prejudiced his memory, yet his character stands redeemed in a 
more enlightened age, from any blemish." 

I have sought in vain for the part taken in these trials, by the 
lawyers as such. The trials appear to have been carried on before 



i*> 



17 

a special tribunal, organized for this special purpose, partaking 
of the powers of civil and ecclesiastical tribunals, having little 
or no regard to the rules of evidence, or any other proprieties ; 
and thus to have continued, until it broke down under the 
weight of its own extravagances. Messrs. Stoughton, Salton- 
stall, Richards, Gedney, Sewall, Winthrop and Sargent, were 
the seven eminent citizens selected for this purpose. They 
were men of high respectability. A special jury was organized 
before which all the cases were brought. The depositions and 
affidavits used, show that rules of law were entirely disregarded 
in the trials. A species of infatuation seems to have pervaded 
the minds of all concerned. The entire movement, from begin- 
ning to end, was an anomaly most extraordinary. I am not 
unmindful, that trials for like offences had been carried on in 
England, and on the continent of Europe, and that some of the 
purest jurists of the time, had participated in the trials. But 
such was not the fact in regard to the witchcraft of New Eng- 
land. These trials bear no marks of wisdom, and very few of 
honesty of purpose. Perhaps the reason for the appointment of 
a special tribunal for the trial of those accused of witchcraft 
was, that the Provincial Charter did not arrive until May, 1692, 
and no regular court was organized under it, until December 
following. Here then was an interval in which the regular ad- 
ministration of justice was suspended for the want of a proper 
Court ; from which a lesson is to be learned, that such experi- 
ments should not often be repeated. 

But why do we dwell Mnth such abhorrence upon the follies 
of olden time ? When in our own times, and almost in our 
own circles, are extravagances, quite as irrational and unintelli- 
gible. That there may be phenomena, from natural causes, 
electrical, galvanic, or otherwise, of a character to astonish and 
confound, I will not presume to deny, though I have not wit- 
nessed any sucli. Bnt that any communications with the 
spirits of the departed, directly or indirectly, have ever been 
had; or any revelations from them, through any such agencies, 
I do not believe. All such pretences, imder whatever name 
they may come, are false and deceptive, and only calculated to 
3 c 



18 

mislead. They are to be classed in the same category with 
witchcraft of olden, time. 

I am not unmindful that it is said by high authority, (Exodus 
xxii, 18,) " Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." There are 
many other things said by the same authority, which, in my 
opinion, were not intended literally to be regarded as rules for 
our guidance, without some qualification of circumstances. 
Suppose this rule to be followed, and the idea of a witch, then 
prevalent, to be taken, — what would be the consequence ? "A 
witch" is defined, in the Magnalia of the learned Doctor, to be 
"a person that, having the free use of reason, doth knowingly 

;and willingly seek and obtain of the Devil, or any other god 
beside the true God Jehovah, an ability to do or know strange 
things, or things which he cannot by his own human abilities 

; arrive unto." A witch was supposed to have renounced allegi- 
ance to the true God, and to have promised obedience to the 
Devil. Some of the clergy construed the Scriptures as recog- 
nizing the validity of such contracts. Was it strange, then, 
to believe, that the persons supposed to be bewitched were 
moved of the Devil? Were not those who thus taught and 
misled those whom they taught, justly chargeable with the 
blood of the innocent sufferers? I have no respect for the 
agency of the Devil, as he is supposed to have operated in 1692, 
or as he is now operating in 1852 ; and as to good spirits ope- 
rating through such mediums to instruct and bless mankind, I 
have no faith in it. 

These accusations continued to multiply, until they were 
checked by theii- own extravagance.* The arraignment of 

* Dr. Mather says, (Vol. II, 413, § 11,) "By these things you may see how 
this matter was carried on, viz., chiefly by the complaints and accusations of 
the afflicted, bewitched ones, as it was supposed, and then by the confession 
of the accused, condemning themselves and others. Yet experience shewed, 
the more there were apprehended, the more were still afflicted by Satan; and 
the number of confessors increasing, did but increase the number of the ac- 
■ cased ; and the executing of some, made way for the apprehending of others : 
fof still the afflicted complained of being tormented by new objects, as the 
former were removed. At last, it was evidently seen that there must be a stop 
put, or the generation of the children of God would pass under that condemna- 
tion. Henceforth, therefore, the juries generally acquitted such as were tried, 
fearing they had gone too far before ?" " Considering the confusion this mat- 
ter had brought us into, it was thought safer to under do than to over do, espe- 
cially in matters capital, where what is once compkated, cannot be reprieved" 



-V. f! 



19 

'^ Mrs. Hale, wife of the minister of Beverljr, and of Mrs. Proctor, 
wife of John Proctor, beforenamed, ladies eminent for their vir- 
tues, opened the eyes of jurors and judges to reflect, that their 
own time might soon come. 

The jurors before whom the accused were tried, with one 
accord, acknowledged their error in acting upon such evidence^ 
or rather without any evidence ; and the judges, particularly the 
excellent Chief J. Sewall,* continued to lament their mistakes 
while they lived. 

"Whether Justices Hawthorne and Corwin, the magistrates 
who conducted the preliminary examinations, ever made the 
amende honorable, does not appear. Perhaps, as they were 
jjidges of an inferior court only, a correction of errors was not 
deemed an essential part of their duty. This is certain, the 
higher law of common sense gained the ascendency, and false 
interpretations of the laws of Moses were soon in a measure 
corrected. The Devil was deposed. 

I have dwelt long upon this antiquated topic, because justice 

to the memory of those who died without blemish, together 

with the unaccountable propensity of the human mind, even at 

the present time, to give credence to irrational absurdities and 

visionary fancies, forbid my saying less. I am not insensible 

that my views of the subject are extremely imperfect. Nothing 

less than an entire volume would do justice to it. All the facts 

deserve to be gathered and chronicled, as a warning to future 

generations. Had not those in high life participated so fully, it 

would, ere this, have been done. " Dog wont eat dog," is 

" A maxim true 
As human wisdom ever drew," 

REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS. 

Passing over events of a temporary character, let us glance 
for a moment to the period immediately preceding the Revolu- 

* The Hon. Samuel Sewall, afterwards Chief Justice of the Court, and a 
magistrate of sterling integrity, was accustomed annually to ask the prayers of 
\\ the church and congregation at the Old South Church, where he worshipped, 

for the pardon of his offence in the part he took in condemning those charged 
with witchcraft. He was not so mealy mouthed as some of the present day, who 
would charge the error entirely to the times, and take no part of it to themselves. 
Such men would hang witches, or do anything else that expediency might 
prompt 



20 

tion, when trifles light as air were big with the fate of nations. 
The refusal to use a paper with a government stamp upon it, 
was interpreted treason. The sale of a little tea, for the use of 
the ladies, involved loss of caste and ifnprisonment. The charge 
of an exorbitant price for a pound of cheese, public posting, by 
order of the town, as faithless to one's country. 

The seeds of jealousy planted at the time of the granting of 
the Act of Incorporation, whereby the right of representation 
was restricted, were never eradicated. It was not the value of 
the privilege withheld, but the manner in which it was done, 
that excited the indignation of the people. His majesty had 
given special instructions that no more towns should be incor- 
porated, with the privilege of choosing theii* own representative^. 
Our fathers were jealous of their rights, especially when in- 
fringed by the power over the water ; and there were those on 
this side of the water who took good care to keep this jealousy 
enkindled. The Adamses, the Otises, the Quincys, the Pick- 
erings, were not silent, and did not live in vain in those days. 
The spirit they infused, pervaded every artery of the body 
politic. 

How else could it have happened, that simultaneously, from 
all parts of the State, came up resolutions of similar import. 
Doubtless these resolutions expressed the fqplings of the people ; 
but they probably had a common origin. Although messages 
were not then circulated by lightning, or handbills published 
through the daily p/'ess, still, messengers were not wanting, nor 
prompters to tell the people what to say. James Otis, John 
Adams, Joseph Warren, Samuel Adams, Timothy Pickering, 
and many others, were intent on securing the freedom of the 
colonies. 

In 1765, it was deliberately resolved, in town-meeting assem- 
bled, " that the inhabitants were greatly incensed by the burdens 
attempted to be imposed upon the people, and were ready to 
resist to the uttermost." 

In 1768, Dr. Holten, delegate to a convention holden at ^, 

Faneuil Hall, the cradle of Liberty, in Boston, was specially 
instructed " to look well to the rights of the people." With 



21 

such marked ability did he then discharge this duty, that he 
thereby laid the foundation for a distinction more prominent, 
and an influence more pervading, than any other citizen ever 
acquired. While he lived, to hesitate to yield assent to the 
opinions of Dr. Holten, was by many deemed political heresy. 
The ardor of his feelings and the purity of his life gave an au- 
thority to his views that could not be resisted.* 

In 1772, Messrs. Wm. Shillaber and others were appointed a 
committee of vigilance. The manner in which their duty was 
discharged shows them to have been a vigilant committee, — 
regulating not only what men should say and do, but what they 
should eat and drink, and what should be paid therefor. If 
those who would reform the manners of the age, as to diet and 
regimen, would seek precedents, they may readily find them in 
the records of those days. Our fathers were a law-abiding 
people, — provided always, they had a voice in the making of 
the laws, — 7iot otherwise. They were sensitive and jealous of 
their rights in the extreme. The spii'it of Robinson, of Peters, 
of Williams, of Endicott, of Bradstreet, and of Winthrop, per- 
vaded their entire nature. They felt that they were born to be 
free, and they suffered no opportunity for securing this privi- 
lege to escape without improvement. 

So marked were these characteristics, that, in 1774, a regi- 
ment of royal troops was quartered on yonder plain, in front of 
the then residence of the Royal Governor Gage, — for, be it 
remembered, that ttvice in our history was Danvers the rm- 
de?ice of the royal governors. So ardent was the patriotism 
of the citizens at this time, that it is not improbable the first 
bursting forth of the flame of liberty was here apprehended. 
So correctly did they augur coming events, that, in February 
next following, less than two months previous to the battle of 
Lexington, the first onset by the British was aimed at Danvers. 
Col. Leslie, with his regiment, came from Boston for the pur- 
pose of destroying cannon and military stores supposed to be 
deposited at Danvers. Without doubt, such deposits were here. 

* See remarks following, by Rev. J. Warburton Putnam, for a more com- 
plete view of the life and character of this estimable citizen. 



32 



formation of every movement. ' " ""^^ '° 8'™ '°- 

o.hIs"about';''"'" T r*^'"« "'"> P--" B-'-d and 

o D Lvetri'lV^ ^r'.' ""''''' ■" '^'^■"' -- *e line 
JJanve s, Mi. R.ehard Skidmore (familiarly known as Old 

^ut:z:. 'r lit::: e:™i -- ■- — - 

with h,s firs. lesson dj,y Zed ^ir"™:' '" ^"^'°"' 

Feb. 2ith ms %J, TT" '™' °" *^ J^o^-J'^ day. 
people w 1 at ehnrlh i T ^^^ " ''""^"'=«'"' ^'"'^ ">'' 

^.«=c.a, notice, asttes:::::,t:r;ered inrr: 
:=a:~nrirt!::/-^^^ 

vv,«v. -r T^ "ioiuiment, m allusion to this event " thf^ 

men of Danvers were rearlv tr. i^r.^ , i . ■ ' 

as %.Umg. Wotdd the p^ifoft 'ui; te'd ';;:<''"'" r ^""'^ 
the a^nv r.f Tf ■ i" f ^^ «"^ united fetates just say to 

ine uzai ot Russia, what the nnn^lo r.r t^ ^ 

Leslie T th\n}r .1 A ; P P °^ Danvers said to Col. 

Leslie I think the Czar of Russia would do as Col. Leslie did 
^^f^.a^n, and thus n.y own beloved Hungar,::' Id be' 

Had it not have been for the n^nif^n „.• i 

pacilic Wisdom exerci'^ed on ih^t 

T(,„ r Jf '^ Lextngtou and Concord* 

The men of Danvers were there. Messrs Rev r. 
Wadsworth and Ho.., .ere there seen m .he ^kf:;-.," IS 

sion. In the town of Salem near v S ^'^^encroachment of foreion ao-ores- 
the people of D^nvers'dn'ed by'th^srofll'''"' '''' S^"^^ of LexinSfon, 
foe, and established their title toVe nualit, ofT\°PP°''f T'^ ''^^^ ^"^'^ ^^e 
the calmness and discretion nf tT r ^?. ^ °l determined bravery. B.it for 
at Salem, would have gfne ahead ottheN^rff^/"^ N««^ Br ^^e 

Itself have taken the Vace of Le.wt "'^ ^/t^^u '^^ ^^"^^'•d' and SalS 
stood forever memorabIe^n the anna s^?f"tL'R ^eb'-uary 26th would have 
Leslie numbered 140. The Amerans under pt?"^''"' ^^ British under 
^niencans under Pickering numbered 50." 



,1 



23 

' ^ tia, with their guns ready for battle, under tlie command of the 
brave Samuel Eppcs. When the alarm was sounded, the ser- 
mon was cut off, and the concluding prayer, with the doxology, 
were deferred to a more convenient season. Then, men not 
only slept upon their arms, but carried them to meeting. The 
best of men were ready to fight. All were soldiers, — none too 
good for service. Their country's rights, not their own aggran- 
dizement, were the objects for which they watched without 
ceasing. 

BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 

Thus continued the town, in a state of constant preparation 
and alarm, until the morning of April 19th, 1775, an era most 
marked in the annals of Danvers. Then, every man capable 
of bearing arms, from the stripling of sixteen to the veteran of 
sixty years, was seen trotting at the rate of four miles an hour, 
to the field of duty and of glory, — with what eff'ect, the return- 
t ing wagons on the following day, loaded with the dead and 

wounded, too plainly told. Seven of the young men of Dan- 
vers, whose names are registered on yonder monument of gran- 
ite, quarried in our own hills, the corner stone of which was 
laid by Gen. Gideon Foster, their commander, on the sixtieth 
aimiversary, then became entitled to the inscription, " Dulce et 
decorum est, pro patria mori." As many more received marks 
of distinction from the enemy, that they carried with them to 
their graves. 

Think of it, my friends! Suppose your father, son, or 
brother, one or all, as was the case with some families at that 
time, to have been thus exposed, when the distant thunder of 
conflicting arms came echoing over the hills, and the lightning 
flash of artillery illumined the western horizon, you will be able 
to appreciate the price paid by your fathers for the liberties you 
now enjoy. 

The impulse given at Lexington was never suspended. The 

^^ funeral knell of those, whose lives were thus sacrificed, constantly 

resounded in the ear. As a specimen of the feeling that then 

pervaded the entire community, I beg leave to recite an anec- 



24 

dote of an event that occurred on that morning, which I had 
from the Colonel himself, and therefore it may not be ques- 
tioned.* 

BATTLE OF BUNKEK HILL. 

On the 17th of June, next following, (a morning not unlike 
the present, when the grass was waving in abundance on the 
plains,) Captains Foster, Flint, Page, Porter, and others of Dan- 
vers, were found in the post of danger, at the bloody ramparts 
of Bunker Hill, under Gen. Putnam, the commander, — himself 
of Danvers. There they stood, shoulder to shoulder, side by 
side, with Warren, Stark and Prescott, the motto of Patrick 
Henry on their helmets, colors not to be mistaken, " Give us 
Liberty, or give us Death ! " 

Shall it be said, my friends, that Danvers did nothing towards 
securing our freedom ? — Danvers, that poured out her best blood 
in the midst of the fight ? of one, who had rather die than stoop, 
though cautioned to do so, — one^ who, when questioned where 
he should he on the day of battle, replied, " Where the Enemy is 
there you will find me.'" All Avho know our country's history 
must be aware that I refer to the brave Captain Samuel Flint, 
who fell fighting, sword in hand, on the mounds of Bennington, 
in the prime of life and vigor of manhood ; leaving descendants, 
whose highest pleasure it should be to imitate the patriotism of 
their grandfather, and the amiable virtues of their father, — the 
late Hon. D. P. King. 

On the 18th of June, 1776, it was voted, in town meeting, 
"if the Honorable Congress, for the safety of the United States, 

* When the troops from Salem, under the command of Col. Timothy Pick- 
ering, were on their way to meet the enemy, (the Danvers companies having 
started ahead by permission,) they halted at the Bell Tavern, now Monument, 
to arrange their places ; and while thus stopping, Hasket Derby, one of the 
soldiers, stepped into friend Southwick's, the house opposite, with whom he 
was acquainted, where Mrs. Southwick said to him, Friend Derby, thee knows 
that my principles will not allow me to do anything to encourage war ; but as 
there is a long and tedious march before thee, and thee and those with thee 
may be in need of refreshment, this batch of bread, just taken from the oven, 
thee may take, if thee please,— /or it ncvei' can be tvrong to feed the hungry. 
And she put into his knapsack a cheese aiso. The same facts have been 
affirmed to me by her son Edward, who, with the soldier from Salem, lived to 
be men of the greatest wealth and influence in their respective towns. 



25 

f^ declare them independent of the kingdom of Great Britain, — 
we, the inhabitants of Danvers, do solemnly pledge our lives 
and fortunes to support them in the measure," — language 
smelling strongly of the Declaration made at Philadelphia, on 
the 4th of July next following ; — which Declaration was iinan- 
imoiisly approved by vote, and ordered to be entered, at length, 
in the records of the town. Yes, there it is, my friends, in 
bold relief, on the page, — for the instruction of future genera- 
tions. This little incident speaks volumes of the feelings that 
pervaded the minds of the community. This little town, with 
less than two thousand inhabitants, thus ratifying the doings 
of a nation, and taking upon itself the responsibility. The 
spirit of Holten, of Foster, of Hutchinson, of Shillaber, and 
their compatriots, is apparent in this thing. When such a feel- 
ing prevails, victory or death must follow. No compromise is 
admissible. No lory spirit was found here. While these men 
lived, there was no doubt where Danvers would be found. 
f,' Her sons have every reason to be proud of the patriotic spirit 

and determined purpose of their sires. The names of many 
brave men are conspicuous in her annals. Let their sons, to 
the latest generation, see to it, that a reputation so nobly earned 
shall never be tarnished. 

REVOLUTIONARY HEROES. 

On the page of history that shall mark the efforts of Danvers 
in the Revolutionary struggle for Independence, will be found 
the names of — 

Gen. Israel Putnam. 
Gen. Gideon Foster, 
Gen. Moses Porter, 
Col. Jeremiah Page, 
Col. Israel Hutchinson, 
Col. Enoch Putnam, 
Major Caleb Lowe, 
\^ Major Sylvester Osborn, 

Capt. Samuel Eppes, 
Capt. Samuel Flint. 
4 d 



26 

Capt. Jeremiah Putnam, 

Capt. Samuel Page, 

Capt. Dennison Wallis, 

Capt. Levi Preston, 

Mr. William Shillaber, 

Dr. Amos Putnam, 

Dr. Samuel Holten, 

Capt. Johnson Proctor, (my father,) 
the last survivor of the revolutionary worthies, who died No- ,^ ^ 

vember 11, 1851, aged 86. A class of men worthy of the 
cause they so ably defended. They were none of your milk- 
and-water heroes ; salt pork and bean porridge constituted the 
basis of their diet.* 

AGE OF SOLDIERS. 

It is interesting to notice the extraordinary length of lives 
attained by these patriots. Of those named, their average ages 
exceeded 80 years. What could have so extended their lives -«^ 

ten years beyond the period ordinarily allotted to man ? This 
is an inquiry of much interest. It could not have been quiet, 
and freedom from exposure, — -for nojie were more exposed. 
The incidents of the soldier's life, under circumstances most 
favorable, have little to charm or amuse ; but the Revolutionary 
Soldiers, half clad and half starved, as they often were, must 
have lived on something not fully appreciated, to hold out as 
they did. May it not in part be attributed to their energy and 
activity of movement in early years? to that buoyancy and 
cheerfulness of spirits that naturally flow from such movements? 
Who has not witnessed the animation with which the old 
soldier adverts to the perils of his youth, and 

" Shoulders his crutch to show how fields are won " ? 

Who will presume to say that cheerful spirits do not essentially 
contribute to the prolongation of life ? 

i. 
* There are many others, " good men and true," who did much service, with 
equal energy and patriotism, but who were content with being brave, without 
any proclamation made of it. Those who float readily on the top, have not 
always the most solidity. 



27 



CENTENNARIANS. 

But two instances, within the limits of the town, of persons 
living to the age of one hundred years, have come to my 
knowledge. These were both soldiers, who had seen much 
service in many wars. 

The first was Thomas Nelson, a native of Scotland, who 
died in 1774, at the age of 113 years. 

The second was Lemuel Winchester, a native of Brookline, 
Massachusetts, who died in 1844, at the age of 100 years 8 
months and 5 days. 

Of father Nelson, I have heard my grandmother say, (who 
herself lived to be almost one hundred,) that when he was 
more than one hundred, he often walked from his residence to 
Salem, six miles, as upright as any young man. 

Both of these gentlemen possessed cheerful dispositions and 
active habits. Both of them were free from those excesses so 
common to the age in which they lived, though probably not 
tee-totalle7's, — a description of beings that were not common in 
revolutionary times. 

How important then, to those who would possess health and 
long life, to imitate their example in the cultivation of habits 
of activity, temperance and cheerfulness. It was remarked by 
Lord Mansfield, one of the most sagacious of men, that he 
never knew an instance of a person living to extreme old age 
who did not r/se early ; and he might have added, who did not 
live temperate. Temperance and activity are the corner stones 
of health and usefulness. 

RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. 

The first settlers of Salem were Puritans. They were men 
who aimed to be governed by the impulses of their own con- 
sciences, and to keep themselves void of off'ence.*' Such were 
Endicott and his associates when they came to Salem. I do 

* In the language of Governor Bradford, when a young man, " To keep a 
good conscience, and walk in such a way as God hath prescribed in his Word, 
is a thing which I much prefer before you all, and above life itself." 



28 

not presume to say they were without blemish, — the sun has 
spots, — but "their faults leaned to virtue's side." They had 
more of merit in them than many men's virtues. Thus moved 
by a faith that gives dignity to man. — purity to woman, — and 
loveliness to the child, — it would have been strange indeed if 
they had neglected to provide all needful accommodations for 
the worship of God. As early as 1666, the farmers of the 
village were incorporated into a society for religious worship. 
This was tiie Second Parish in Salem. Parish privileges and 
rights of citizens were then essentially connected. No man 
could exercise the rights of a citizen who did not belong to the 
Church. In the meetings of the Church, matters of business 
were moulded as much as they now are in caucus assembled. 

The first thirty years of the Village Parish covers that period 
when the witch delusion and other controversies were agitated 
to such extent that little may be said of the religious influences 
then prevalent, — if regard be paid to the text, "By their fruits 
shall ye know them." 

In 1697, Rev. Joseph Green became the pastor of this society, 
and so continued for a period of eighteen years. He died 
among his people, universally beloved and respected. He must 
have been a very good man to have lived and died as he did, 
at such a time, surrounded with such influences. 

He was succeeded by Rev. Peter Clark, who continued to 
minister until all those who settled him had left the stage ; a 
period of more than Jifty years. His funeral discourse was 
preached June 16, 1768, by Rev. Thomas Barnard, of Salem. 
Such permanency in the ministry speaks well of pastor and 
people ; — and is in accordance with our best New England 
notions. I know that many have grown up of late who think 
they know more than their fathers did, — but I have heard it 
said old Doctor Clark once said to his son Caleb, "Caleb! is 
there no nearer way to Heaven than round by Chebacco?" — 
meaning thereby to reprove the new light influences then 
prevalent. So in modern times, many are not content to pursue 
the good old way to Heaven, but want to go hy steam ; when 
they start thus, there is danger of bursting the boiler. 



29 

Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth succeeded Mr. Clark, and minis- 
tered unto this people for more than ffii/ years. My first 
impressions of a model minister were taken from this gentleman 
when a boy at school. Subsequently, when an older boy, 
myself attempting " to teach the young idea how to shoot," I 
had the pleasure of a more intimate acquaintance, which con- 
firmed my first impressions. He was a gentleman, in the best 
sense of the term. He knew tvhat to say, and when to say it. 
He too lived a long life harmoniously with his people, and died 
beloved and respected. What Christian minister can ask a 
better eulogy ? Who that remembers the words of wisdom 
that fell from the lips of these venerable men, will fail to 
rejoice at their good fortune in being thus instructed? I know 
of nothing that savors more of Heaven, than lessons of instruc- 
tion from a virtuous, modest, wise old minister. Very few 
societies can render so good an account of their stevv^ardship. 

Since the decease of Dr. Wadsworth, the increase of popula- 
tion has been such as to demand a division, and two societies 
are now sustained on the old foundation. Of the living, I 
forbear to speak, well knowing that the sound of their own 
voices will be their highest encomium. They are favorably es- 
teemed wherever learning or piety is regarded. 

The inhabitants of the southerly part of the town worshiped 
with the First Church in Salem, until 1710, when a new soci- 
ety was incorporated, under the name of the Middle Precinct 
Parish. This was the Third Parish in Salem. Their first effort 
was, to obtain from the town, a grant of " a quarter of an acre 
of land to set a meeting-house on." This was so located, that, 
in process of time, it expanded to more than an acre. Whether 
fortunately, or not, involves too many incidents to admit of 
discussion on this occasion. 

In 1713, Rev. Benjamin Prescott was settled as pastor over 
this parish, and remained such for a period of forty years. 
His pastoral relations were closed in 1752, (the year of the sep- 
■f aration from Salem,) in consequence of contentions that had 

arisen about the collection and payment of his salary. There 
were, within the parish, Q.uakers and others, who thought they 



30 

could not conscientiously pay for such preaching. The laws 
had no regard to scruples of conscience of such a character. 
After the dissolution of his pastoral relations, Mr. Prescott con- 
tinued to reside in the parish, a worthy citizen and magis- 
trate, dying in good old age, respected for his talents and 
virtues, and was buried at the foot of the hill bearing his name. 

A shrewd observer, with much experience in ministerial 
affairs, remarked, in relation to Mr. Prescott's ministry, " When 
a minister and people cannot get along without quarrelling 
about his salary, it is better for both that the connection should 
be dissolved. God and Mammon cannot peaceably ocdupy the 
same tenement." 

The Rev. Nathan Holt succeeded Mr. Prescott, and minis- 
tered with good fidelity for a period of thirty-four years. He 
was a peaceable, clever man, — deeply imbued with the patriotic 
spirit of the times. Of his services in the pulpit, I have heard 
but little. His labors among his people were highly prized, 
and productive of a happy influence. " He was an Israelite 
indeed, in whom there was no guile." 

Rev. Samuel Mead followed Mr. Holt, and was pastor about 
ten years. The record of this period is lost ; it is not safe, 
therefore, to speak, where the best evidence is wanting. I 
remember him well. His peculiarities were many. 

In 1805, the Rev. Samuel Walker was settled, and remained 
the pastor for a period of twenty-one years. His life was termi- 
nated by a painful casualty. He was faithful to his calling, 
discreet in his movements, and died with a kind remembrance 
in many a bosom. Since his death, a Unitarian, a Methodist, 
a Baptist, and a Universalist society have grown up in the par- 
ish, and flourished with various degrees of success, leaving the 
Old South Society still one of the largest and ablest in the 
county. 

For a few years they were ministered unto by the Rev. 
George Cowles, who, while on his way south with his lady, in 
search of health, was suddenly lost on board the steamer Home, 
dying with these last words, " He that trusteth in Jesus is safe, 
even among the perils of the sea." He died deeply lamented. 



31 

'T having previously resigned his pastoral care on account of ill 
health. 

The Rev. H. G. Park followed for a short time. 

The Rev. Thomas P. Field succeeded Mr. Park for a period 
of ten years, laboring successfully to a harmonious and happy 
people, — which labors were unfortunately interrupted by his 
being called to a position of more extended usefulness at Troy, 
N. Y., with the offer of a compensation better proportioned to 
the worth of his services. When it was too late, the people 
saw their erroi\ The disappointment experienced in parting 
with one so highly esteemed, with no appreciable reason as- 
signed therefor, poorly prepared the way to treat with kindness 
and Christian sympathy his successor, the Rev. James D. Butler, 
who, after a conditional settlement of 07ic year, was croivded off^ 
without ceremony. May his eminent learning and Christian 
humility command a position in which they will be duly ^pre- 
ciated. 
». Several other religious societies have grown up in different 

parts of the town, and been sustained with varied success. A 
Baptist society was organized at the New Mills Village, under 
the pastoral care of Rev. Benj. Foster, sixty-eight years since. 
The present pastor, Rev. A. W. Chapin. There is also a Uni- 
versalist society in that neighborhood, which was organized 
thirty-seven years since, now under the pastoral care of the 
Rev. J. W. Putnam. 

Within my memory, four valuable churches have been de- 
stroyed by fire, probably caused by incendiaries. One offender 
only has been brought to justice, and he under his own con- 
fession. 

Within the last twelve years, there has been expended in the 
construction and finish of churches, more than $50,000. 

The present annual payments within the town, for the sup- 
port of religious instruction, cannot be estimated at less than 
|10,000. 
^ The predominant faith at the present time, (exclusive of those 

who have no faith at all,) is a modified version of the notions 
of the Puritan Fathers of New England ; — how far improved 



32 

by the modification, must be left to the better judgment of those 
who have really experienced its purifying influences. That 
there may be such, I cannot doubt, — but something more than 
mere profession of religion is wanted, to satisfy my mind. I 
incline to the belief, that his faith cannot be wrong whose life 
is right. And where the life does not illustrate and adorn the 
profession, the profession will be found " a sounding brass and 
tinkling cymbal." 

EDUCATION. 

Popular education, in the broadest sense of the term, has en- 
grossed the attention of the people of Danvers as much as any 
other topic. From the time of their first meeting, March 4th, 
1752, when Daniel Eppes, father and son, were moderator and 
clerk, each year's record shows more or less of interest in the 
educHion of the rising generation. 

Previous to the separation, but little attention had been given 
to supporting schools for the children on the borders. 

In 1783, when revolutionary troubles had subsided, the peo- 
ple began to look after the condition of the schools. 

In 1793, an interesting report on the reorganization of the 
schools was made to the town, by Dr. Archelaus Putnam, which 
appears in full upon the records, — a fact worthy of notice, be- 
cause many a report, placed on file only, is not noAv to be found. 
Files that are handled by every body, soon become every 
body's property. 

In 1794, pursuant to a plan proposed by Gideon Foster, 
Samuel Page, and John Kettelle, the town was divided into 
districts. 

In 1802, the districts were remodelled, at the suggestion of 
Sylvester Osborn. Thus we find Holten, Foster, Page, Osborn, 
and others, who were foremost in their efforts to secure our 
rights, going ahead in their endeavors to educate the children 
to understand those rights. 

In 1809, the present system of school districts was estab- 
lished, — then nine, now fourteen; — then containing 800 chil- 
dren, now more than 2000, of age suitable to attend school. 



rf 



33 

It is not easy to undei-stand how schools were supported as 
well as they were, with the limited appropriations then made. 
Masters must have taught for the love of teaching, and children 
studied for the sake of learning. The days of study, and not 
the days of vacation, must then have been their seasons of 
amusement. 

In 1814, an order was adopted requiring a report of the 
condition of the schools, for the year next preceding, to be 
made at the annual meeting in each year. This is worthy of 
notice, it having become a State regulation since. 

In 1820, an order was adopted requiring the names and ages 
of children between four and sixteen years, resident in town 
on the first day of May, to be returned by the prudential com- 
mittees, and recorded by the clerk. This also was in advance- 
of the action of the State to the same effect. Both of theses 
regulations have been found highly serviceable, ^^ 

The money appropriated for the support of schools has since 
been apportioned to the several districts in proportion to the 
children thus returned, with donations to the districts containing 
a sparse population, to equalize the advantages of schooling as 
far as practicable. 

High schools have recently been established with good 
success. The present year, a new plan of superintendence has 
been ordered and entered upon with high expectation of ben- 
efit. It remains with the person who fills the office whether 
these expectations shall be realized. Tlie superintendent enters 
upon the duties this day. I cannot doubt the efficiency of 
individual superintendence when regulated by competent ability, 
with a single eye to the advancement of the schools. 

The predominant feeling has long been, that it is the boiimden 
duty of the town to carry out the free-school principle first 
proposed by Endicott, viz, — to provide for the complete education 
of all the children, at the public chargCy in such manner as 
their condition in society demands. 

In this way alone can it be explained that Danvers has edu- 
cated so small a proportion of her sons at colleges, according to 
her wealth and population. On looking over the list of natives^ 
5 e 



34 

of the town who have had the benefit of a collegiate education, 
for one hundred years last past, I find six clergymen, three law- 
yers, two physicians, five farmers, and two others, — in all, 
twenty ; — a number much less than will be found in many 
towns with one half the population.* 1 speak of the fact as 
presenting considerations worthy of reflection, and not because 
I deem such an education an essential qualification to good citi- 
zenship. Instance the success of Franklin, of Washington, of 
our own Bowditch, to the contrary. The truth is, the people of 
Danvers have been anxious to realize a more speedy income on 
their investments than is ordinarily found by trimming the mid- 
night lamp. As a general thing, they value objects in possession 
more than those in expectancy ; their faith is not strong enough 
to sustain the hope of distinction by means of literary eflbrts. 

An^aborate attempt to abolish the district system of schools 
was r^rae in 1850, but the people were not prepared to give up 
what they deemed a certainty for an unceriainiy. 



* College Graduates. — Names of natives of Danvers, who have been 
educated at Collegiate Institutions : — 

F. *Daniel Putnam, 

F. *James Putnam, 

T. *Daniel Eppes, 

F. *Tarrant Putnam, 

P. *Archelaus Putnam, 

L. Samuel Putnam, 

T. *Israel Andrew, 

C. William P. Page, 

C. Israel Warburton Putnam, 

C. Daniel Poor, 

L. John W. Proctor, 

C. Ebenezer Poor, 

L. *William Oakes, 

P. John Marsh, 

F. *Daniel P. King, 

C. Allen Putnam, 

F. Samuel P. C. King, 

C. Ezekiel Marsh, 

'Augustus E. Daniels, 
*Thomas Stimpson, 
6 of the above became clergymen ; 3, lawyers ; 2, teachers ; 5, fanners ; 
% physicians ; 2, occupation not yet determined. 
Ten have deceased ; ten now living. 

F. Farmer ; C. Clergyman ; P. Physician ; L. Lawyer ; T. Teacher. 
Several other citizens have engaged in professional employments, without 
the aid of collegiate instruction. Several are now preparing for such employ- 
ments. 



Harv. 


1717. 


Harv. 


1746. 


Harv. 


1758. 


Harv. 


1763. 


Harv. 


1763. 


Harv. 


1787. 


Harv. 


1789. 


Harv. 


1809. 


Dart. 


1809. 


Dart. 


1811. 


Harv. 


181G. 


Dart. 


1818. 


Harv. 


1820. 


Harv. 


1823. 


Harv. 


1823. 


Harv. 


1825. 


Amherst 


1831. 


Yale. 


1839. 


Harv. 


1846. 


Amherst 


1850. 



35 



SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS. 

There is no town in the county where the appropriations for 
schools are more hberal, in proportion to the number to be 
educated and the ability to pay. Mr. Webster, in his late speech 
at Faneuil Hall, says it is the glory of Boston that she applies 
owe quarter part of all the taxes assessed, for the support of 
public schools, viz., $50,000 out of $200,000, — there being a 
population of 140,000. Danvers applies $10,000 out of $25,- 
000, — there being a population of 8000. Danvers has a valua- 
tion of $3,000,000.— Boston, $300,000,000. Here is a question 
for boys at school to answer, which of these places does best 
for the support of public schools, according to its ability? 

If the schools of Danvers are not advanced in proportion to 
their appropriation, the defect is not chargeable to the mass of 
the inhabitants, — their tvill is to have Jirst rate free schmls. 

SCHOOL FUNDS. 

The wisdom of the town in applying the surplus revenue, 
that came to their use in 1844, as a permanent fund for the 
benefit of schools, over and above a prescribed sum of not less 
than three dollars per scholar, to be raised by the town annually 
for this purpose, must not be overlooked. This fund now 
amounts to the sum of $10,000, and is invested in the hands of 
trustees chosen by the town. Considering the many jealousies 
brought to bear on this topic, the act whereby the investment 
was made Avill ever remain most creditable to the town. No 
man did more to bring this about than the late Elias Putnam, 
who in this, as in all his other public services, showed himself 
a vigilant friend of the best interests of the town. Danvers 
will long mourn his departure in the midst of his usefulness. 
He was a man of marked energy and decision of character. 
Selfish to some extent, — for who is not, — but public spirited, 
far beyond most of those around him. Those who knew him 
best, valued him highest. It was often my privilege, as on 
this subject, to cooperate in the objects he had in view. I knew 
him well. 



36 



WALLIS FUND. 



> 



By the generosity of Capt. Dennison Wallis, who died in 
1825, a local fund of $2500 was established for the benefit of 
School District No. 1, in which he then lived. He intended 
the fund should have been $5000, but the phraseology of the 
will so far fell short of the intentions of the donor, when tried 
in the crucible of the Supreme Court, as to reduce the amount 
one half. -4 

With this fund, the Wallis School, for the education of chil- 
dren between the ages of six and twelve years, has been estab- 
lished, and sustained for twenty years. If the spirit of the 
donor could look down upon the cheerful countenances of the 
happy group of children, educated by his bounty, on one of 
their days of successful exhibition, it would discover abundant 
reason for rejoicing in the wisdom of the donation. Happy 
spirit that ! which can contemplate a life of toil and perplexity 
terminated so gloriously. When another century shall have '^^ 

passed away, who will be remembered with more admiration 
than he who laid the foundation of the Wallis School ? Al- 
though his name may not live in the offspring of his own loins, 
it shall be immortal in the benefits conferred on thousands. 
This crowning act of his life will be cherished with gratitude, 
even when his heroic exposure at Lexington shall be forgotten. 

SUPPORT OF PAUPERS. 

As a municipal regulation, next in importance to the educa- 
tion of the young, is the support of the unfortunate poor. By 
the record of the first meeting, it appears that both these sub- 
jects were provided for. Still, no well-established system of 
relief to the poor was adopted, until about the year 1800, when 
the attention of friends E. Southwick and S. Shove, moved by 
the combined considerations of economy and humanity, were 
'directed to this subject. To the credit of these gentlemen, be 
it said, notwithstanding they belonged to a class of Christians 
whose sense of religious duty will not sufler any of their num- 
iber to be a charge upon the public, that they did more to alle- 



37 

viate the condition of the paupers, as well as to relieve the 
town from the expense of their support, than has been done by 
any others. Their shrewd observation discerned, what was 
not then generally known, that almshouse establishments, with 
conveniences for industrial employments connected therewith, 
adapted to the capacities of the inmates, were the true means 
of benefiting their condition ; — that by thus being employed, 
they would be saved from many a temptation incident to their 
humiliated position, and the burden of their support would be 
greatly diminished. 

At this time a house, with about a dozen acres of land ap- 
purtenant, was appropriated to this use. But it was soon found 
that the locality of the establishment was too central, for the 
convenience of those around ; and that the growing wants of the 
village demanded its removal. Accordingly, it was transferred 
to the extensive farm of two hundred acres now occupied, then 
chiefly covered with wood. The selection of this site, although 
censured by many at the time, shows the superior discernment 
of those who chose it. It is airy, healthy, and easy of access, 
and readily made a secure abode, far removed from evil com- 
munications, and evil spirits also. Whoever would deal with 
paupers, must prepare to guard against the influence of such 
spirits with eagle eyes. 

The rival eff"orts of these gentlemen, (Messrs. Southwick and 
Shove,) to see which could out-do the other in saving for the 
town, and the suggestions made by them, from time to time, in 
their annual reports, will ever be interesting features for exami- 
nation. They were, in fact, a sort of Q,uaker duel, in which 
no blood was shed, — although occasionally one would say to 
the other, " Thee lies, thee krioios thee lies, wider a viistake.^'' 
During their administration of this department, the State allowed 
twenty-one cents per day for the support of paupers, instead of 
seveti, the present allowance ; which materially aided in bal- 
ancing their accounts. 

ALMSHOUSE. 

The present almshouse, with the farm and its appendages, 
cost |25,000. It was erected in 1844. The town was moved 



38 

to its erection, by the admonitions of Miss D. Dix, of Boston, ^ 
whose generous philanthropy has done so much for suffering 
humanity. There were those who thought her officious, mis- 
informed as to the facts she stated, and disposed to meddle with 
that lohich did not concern her. I know there were such. But 
even those will now cheerfully acknowledge, that she was 
actuated by good motives ; and that she did the town a service, 
for which she ought ever to be held in grateful remembrance. 
Noble soul ! that looks around and sees how many tears of 
suffering she has dried up, and how many pangs of distress she 
has alleviated. Her own reflections are a heavenly reward. 
May her shadow never be less. 

There is no town in the Commonwealth where the unfortu- 
nate poor are regarded with more sympathy and kindness. 
Every rational movement for their benefit has always met a 
cheerful approval by the town. Care is taken to secure the 
services of intelligent and humane overseers, and the establish- 
ment entire is a model worthy of imitation. 

A careful analysis of the concerns of this department for ffty 
years last past, will show, that at least three fourths of all those 
who have received relief at the almshouse, have been brought 
to this necessity by reason of intemperance, notwithstanding 
the unremitted efforts of the town to stay the devastations of 
this debasing vice, — this inexhaustible fountain of suffering and 
of crime. May God grant a safe deliverance from it, even 
though it should involve the total anniliilation of all that intox 
icates. ^^ 

TEMPERANCE. 

In the efforts that have been made to advance the cause of 
tem^perance, for the last forty years, Danvers has taken no mean ^ 

position. During all this period, many of her best citizens have 
been actively cooperating with the best friends of the cause. 

As early as 1812, Samuel Holten, Benjamin Wadsworth, ^ 

Edward Southwick, Fitch Poole, Caleb Oakes, and others, were | 

pioneers in this enterprise. They dared to say, even then, "^ 

when it was almost the universal practice to " take a little for r 

the stomach's sake and often infirmities." that " the use of I 



K 



39 

intoxicating liquors, as a beverage, was an evil, and oiilij evil 
continually.^'' It is glorious to find these experienced, upright, 
and keen observers of human nature, putting forth the doctrine 
that total abstinence, from everything that intoxicates, is " the 
only sure guide," the only principle that can be depended upon. 
What the zealous friends of law (Massachusetts law, may I 
say?) have recently discovered, they seem to have known by 
instinct. They preached temperance, and they practised what 
they preached. Without which, on any subject, preaching is 
" a tinkling cymbal,'' — an " empty show.'' 

Danvers was the first town that took action, in its corporate 
capacity, against lice?ising the retail of intoxicating liquors. 
The motion, (to my certain knowledge,) was drafted in pencil, 
at the Village Church, and presented at the annual meeting, 
1835, by S. P. Fowler, Est|. To the credit of the town, its 
authorities have constantly adhered to the faith then promul- 
gated. Not so with all the authorities in towns around, — and 
hence has flowed misery and crime. Since 1835, there has 
annually been appointed a committee, to watch the progress of 
the cause, and to advance its success. What Maine now is to 
other states, Danvers has been to other towns, a beacon light on 
the eminence of Temperance. May its efl'ulgence be strength- 
ened, until the path of duty shall be, as illuminated by the 
noonday sun. 

BUSINESS. FARMING. 

Attention to business has ever been a prominent trait in the 
character of the people of Danvers. For many years, the cul- 
tivation of the land was their chief employment. Throughout 
the early records, they are spoken of as the farmers, in contrast 
with those engaged in commercial pursuits, for which Salem 
has been eminent from the beginning. Among the farmers 
best known, will be found the names of Putnam, Preston, Proc- 
tor, Felton, and King. Their fields have exhibited samples of 
cultivation that will compare with any in the Commonwealth. 
They have stirred their soil deep, and aimed to understand the 
reason for so doing. The town affords every variety of soil, 



40 

from veiy strong to very shallow. The lands require much 
labor; and unremitted attention to the application of invigorating 
substances. As the population has increased, their labors have 
been concentrated ; and it would not be difficult to point out 
those who raise as much, and live as well, from the products of 
ten acres, as did those before them from the products of one 
hundred acres. I forbear to dilate. The story of their farm- 
ing has often been told, and can be better told elsewhere. 

TANNING. 

About one hundred years ago, friend Joseph Southwick com- 
menced the business of tanning, in a few tubs or half hogs- 
heads. This business has since so expanded, that it now occu- 
pies as many thousand vats. It is the staple business of the 
place. For many years, it was carried on chiefly by Messrs. 
Southwick, Shove, Wallis, Sutton, Poole, and a few others, 
who made fortunes in attending to it. The hide and leather 
business, in all its modifications, has probably done more to 
advance the wealth and resources of the town, than any other ; 
especially when the manufactures, of which leather is the prin- 
cipal component part, are taken into view. The annual amount 
of these manufactures is estimated at not less than |>2,000,000.* 

EARTHEN WARE. 

A class of coarse ware, known as Danvers crockery, has been 
coeval with the existence of the town. Forty years since, it 
was made much more extensively than of late. It is now 
thrown out of use by articles of more strength and beauty, pro- 
cured at less expense from abroad, — though for many purposes, 
it still finds favor with those accustomed to its use. The clay 
on the margin of Waters River has been found particularly well 
adapted to this manufacture. 

The Osborns and Southwicks have done more at this work 
than any families within my knowledge. William Osborn, the 
first of the name, was spoken of as o. potter. His descendants, 

* See Appendix, for statistics of this business. 



41 

for four generations certainly, have shown their regard for theii- 
ancestor by sticking to his employment. 

OFFICIAL STATIONS. 

The right to participate in the making of the laws has ever 
been esteemed one of the choicest privileges of a citizen of New- 
England. As early as 1634, the settlers here had beeome so 
numerous, that they felt the necessity of delegating their au- 
thority to representatives of their own choice. It was the jeal- 
ousy of the infringement of this right that moved our fathers to 
resist the oppressive taxation by the mother country, — and not 
the mnoimt of tax imposed. It was the interference with this 
right by Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson, under the special instructions 
of *' Georgius Secundus," at the time of the incorporation of 
the town, that specially aroused the indignation of the people 
of Danvers.* Thus early awakened, it would haye been 
extraordinary indeed if the citizens had not, at all times, been 
careful to be represented by '• good men and true," — by those 
understanding their duty, and ready to discharge it. 



* Lieut. Gov. Hutchinson entered upon the Records of tlic Council his pro- 
test against the act, as follows, viz. : — 

" I protest for the following reasons : 

" First. Because it is the professed design of the bill to give the inhabitants 
who now join with the town of Salem in the choice of representatives, a power 
of choosing by themselves; and the number of which the house of representa- 
tives may at present consist being full large, the increase nuist have a tendency 
to retard the proceedings of the General Court, and to increase the burdens 
which, by their long session every year, lies upon the people, and must like- 
wise give the house an undue proportion to the board of the legislature, where 
many affairs are determined by a joint ballot of the two houses. 

" Second. Because there being no governor in the Province, it is most agree- 
able to his Majesty's commission to tlie late governor, to the message of this 
board to the house at the opening of the session, and in itself is most reasona- 
ble, that all matters of importance should be deferred until there be a governor 
in the chair. 

" Third. Because the board, by passing this bill as the second branch of the 
legislature, necessarily bring it before themselves as the first branch for assent 
or refusal ; and such members as vote for the bill in one capacity, must give 
their assent to it in the other, directly against the royal instruction to the gov- 
ernor, when the case is no degree necessary to tiie public interest ; otherwise, 
their doings will be inconsistent and absurd. Tuos. Hutchinson. 

Council ChambeTf June 9, 1757." 

6 / 



42 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

Of those who have thus served the town, the following may 
be named, viz, : — 

Samuel Holten, Jr., 9 years, from 1768 to 1780 
Israel Hutchinson, 18 •' '■ 1777 to 1798 
Gideon Foster, 9 " " 1796 to 1806 

Samuel Page, 12 " '•' 1800 to 1814 

Nathan Felton, 15 " " 1805 to 1821 
and many others, for periods of from one to eight years. 

One remark naturally arises upon a view of this state of facts, 
■comparing the past with the present. Then, when a man had 
been in office long enough to acqdire useful experience, he was 
■continued, while he was willing to serve ; and deemed none 
the less qualified because he had done his duty a few years, 
with good ability. Noiv, when he has acquired this experience, 
he is kindly reminded that there are those who want his place ; 
that rotation is the grand democratic principle, without regard 
to qualification ; and if he does not voluntarily abandon the 
hope, the probability is, the people will give him leave to with- 
draw. 

SENATORS AND COUNCILLORS. 

In the Senate of the State, the town has often been repre- 
-sented, and thereby been favored with a full share of the 
Monorables. Instance the 

Hon. Samuel Holten, 

" Daniel P. King, 

" Jonathan Shove, 

" Elias Putnam, 

" Robert S. Daniels, 

*' Henry Poor, 

" George Osborn, &c., 
varying in their terms of service from one to th'ee years. 

In the Executive Council, the town has been represented 
iby the Hon. Samuel Holten, 

" Israel Hutchinson, 

" Robert S. Daniels, <fcc.« 



43 



JUSTICES. 

Of the County Courts, Hon. Timothy Pickering, Hon Sam- 
uel Holten, and John W. Proctor, have been Justices. 

Of the Court of Probate, Hon. Samuel Holten was for many 
years a Judge. 

Of the Supreme Judicial Court, Hon. Samuel Putnam was 
for many years an eminent Judge, as his well-digested legal 
opinions in the Reports bear testimony. 

Of Judges Holten and Putnam, it can in truth be said, what 
rarely is true with men in office, that they were more ready to 
leave their offices, than to have their offices leave them, — they 
having both voluntarily resigned, when their services were 
highly appreciated. Judge Putnam still lives, at the green old 
age of eighty-iive, beloved and respected by all who know him. 

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 

In Congress, the voice of Danvers has been heard, through 
the representatives of the second district of the State, for about 
one eighth part of the time since the organization of the gov- 
ernment. 

Hon. Samuel Holten, 

" Nathan Reed, 

'' Daniel P. King, 
have occupied this station. Mr. King was the immediate suc- 
cessor of the lamented Saltonstall, of Salem. Few, very few 
districts in our land can boast of representatives so unexcep- 
tionable in all those qualities that best become a man. They 
will long be remembered as stars of the first magnitude in the 
constellation of worthies from Essex South District. 

MUNICIPAL OFFICES. CLERKS. 

In the management of the concerns of the town, there is no 
duty of more responsibility than that which devolves upon the 
clerk. On the correctness of his record rests the tenure of 
office, and essentially depends the character and reputation of 
the town. 



44 

How else is he who caters for the intellectual part of the 
centennial entertainments to be advised of facts? What is 
now learned of time past one hundred years can be come at 
through the records alone. What those present at the next 
centennial will be able to present, must be drawn mainly from 
the clerks' records. Nothing else will have a character to be 
relied on ; unless perchance some floating leaf of this day's 
doings shall chance to be preserved by some careful antiquarian. 

Fortunately the records of Danvers were commenced by 
Daniel Eppes, Jr., and kept for two years in a form highly 
exemplary. His chirography was plain, his knowledge of lan- 
guage good, so that he used the right words in the right place, 
neither more nor less ; — a qualification not sufficiently regarded 
by many of those who have come after him : — among these. 



James Prince, 6 


years, 


Stephen Needham, 11 


li 


Gide(m Foster, 4 


li 


Joseph Osborne, Jr., 6 


li 


Nathan Felton, 27 


u 


Benjamin Jacobs, 6 


il 


Joseph Shed, 17 


u 


and others from one to three years. Joseph Shed, Esq., the 



present clerk, has greatly improved upon the records of his 
predecessors by his mode of indexing and filing of papers. 
There still remains much to be done to make the records intel- 
ligible, without the explanation of those who made them. Let 
any one experience the inconveniences I have met in ascer- 
taining facts that should be readily understood, and I will 
guarantee that he will not come to any other conclusion. A 
town like this should have their oivn office for all their papers, 
and all their papers arranged in systematic order, under the 
care and keeping of the clerk, — and not otherivisc. 

MEDICAr. PROFESSION. 

No educated physician, to my knowledge, resided in town 
previous to the separation. Female attendants were at com- 
mand, without doubt, in cases of emergency, which often 



-^1 



M 



c 



45 

occurred, as the increase of population fully demonstrates. A 
Dr. Gregg is mentioned, as early as the year 1692, as being 
consulted in the diseases that then prevailed ; but where he 
resided I know not. 

Drs. Jonathan Prince, Archelaus Putnam, Samuel Holtcn, 
and Amos Putnam, are the first named physicians in the North 
Parish. Drs. Parker Cleveland, Joseph Osgood, and Joseph 
Torrey, are the first in the South Parish. All of these are 
believed to have been regularly educated physicians, of the old 
order. 

Other names have appeared, at different periods, such as Drs. 
Chickering, Nutting, Hildreth, Bowers, Carlton, Clapp, Cilley, 
Little, Peabody, Gotild, Southwick, Porter, Bush, Patten, &c. ; 
but they did not remain long enough to leave any distinct im- 
pression of themselves or their practice. Within my memory, 
Drs. Andrew Nichols, 
George Osgood, 
Ebenezer Hunt, 
George Osborne, and 
Joseph Osgood, 
have been the medical advisers chiefly consulted. All of these 
are well experienced in their profession. 

Dr. James Putnam, son of Dr. Amos, accompanied his father 
many years. 

Dr. Joseph Shed, a pupil of the celebrated Dr. B. Kittridge, 
also practised several years. 

Drs. David A. Grosvenor, and Samuel A. Lord, have recently 
been added to the number of regular physicians. 

How many there are, or have been, who have rested their 
fame on the new-modeled notions of cold water applications, 
hot pepper mixtures, and infinitesimal divisions, I will not 
presume to say ; but I will say I have good reason to believe 
that prescriptions of nauseous, drugs have essentially diminished, 
and probably will continue to do so as people grow more en- 
lightened. There is no science in which so little is certainly 
known as that of medicine. 



46 



LEGAL PROFESSION". 

I am not aware that any one ever attempted to live by the 
law, in Danvers, previous to 1812; since then many have 
started here ; no one (except myself) has remained many years. 
The order of residence has been as follows, viz. : — 

Ralph H. French; 

Frederick Howes, 

Benjamin L. Oliver. Jr., ^|] 

George Lamson, 

John Walsh, 

John W. Proctor. 

Rufus Choate, 

Joshua H. Ward, 

Frederick Morrill, 

William D. Northend. 

Alfred A. Abbott, 

Benjamin Tucker, 

Edward Lander, Jr.. 

Benj. C. Perkins. 
No lawyer has ever died in town with his harness on ; and 
no one, to my knowledge, has ever realized a living income 
from professional business. It is a poorly paid employment, 
and not worth having by those who can find anything else to 
do. The proximity to Salem, where such men as Prescott, 
Story, Pickering, Saltonstall, Cummings, Merrill. Huntington, 
and Lord, have ever been ready to aid those in want of justice, 
has taken the cream from the dish of the professional gentlemen 
of Danvers, 

AFRICAN SLAVERY. 

A glance at the last one hundred years of the history of the 
town, suggests a word upon the slavery of the African ; a 
topic that has agitated and still agitates our country to its centre. 
Do not fear that I am about to introduce party topics, for I am 
no partizan in this matter. True, I am opposed to slavery. 



47 

%. root and branch, — as I presume every genuine son of New 
England is, — and am ready to do all that can be done to extir- 
pate it from the land, consistent ivith the prcscrvatmi of indi- 
vidual rights, and the obligations to regard the constitution. 

At the time of the separation, there were, within the limits 
of the town, twenty-five slaves, — nine males, sixteen females. 
These became free by the abolition of slavery in the State, on 
the adoption of our constitution. Most of them remained, 
while they lived, in the service of their former owners. I am 
happy to know that some of them were valuable citizens, and 
left descendants much respected ; one of whom. Prince Former, 
son of Milo, slave of Mr. William Poole, lately deceased at 
Salem. Since the decease of these slaves, scarcely an individ- 
ual of this colored race has found a home in Danvers. I do 
not now know of any one in town. There are many citizens 
who say much about the rights of the oppressed African, and 
the wrongs they suffer, and profess great sympathy in their 
behalf. I have never known of any efforts of theirs to en- 
courage the residence of such persons among us. On the con- 
trary, I have known some of the most zealous to advise them 
to be of. 

In 1819, the town expressed a very decided opinion against 
the further extension of slavery, in a communication made to 
the Hon. Nathaniel Silsbee, then representative from this dis- 
trict, in Congress, by a committee appointed for this purpose, 
consisting of Edward Southwick, and four others. 

In 1847, when considering the expediency of the Mexican 
war, a resolve, prepared by myself, was unanimously adopted, 
•'that the town would not, in any manner, countenance any- 
thing that shall have a tendency to extend that most disgraceful 
feature of our institutions, — domestic slavery.''' These opinions, 
deliberately adopted, I believe, express the feelings of a very 
large proportion of the citizens, — in fact, nearly all those who 
had given attention to the subject. It cannot be doubted, the 
anti-slavery feeling is constantly increasing; and it would have 
been universal, had it not have been for the ill-advised move- 



48 

ments of some of its advocates. How can it be otherwise? 
Who will presume to contend '• that man has a right to enslave 
his fellow man " ? The laws of nature and of God forbid it. 
This is an axiom too clear to be illustrated by argument. He 
who thinks otherwise, is unworthy the place of his birth. 
Freedom, unqualified freedom, shall ever be our watchword. 

BURIAL PLACES. 

The numerous burial places scattered over the surface of the 
town, amounting to more than one hundred, is a feature so pe- 
culiar as to demand a moment's notice. Almost every ancient 
family had a deposit for their dead, on their own farm. Nearly 
one half the families that were here one hundred years ago, 
have run out or removed from town. The consequence is that 
their premises have passed to other names, and the deposits for 
their dead to those "who knew them not." If there could be 
any certainty of continued title, burial among friends would be 
a delightful thought ; but when we are constantly reminded that 
in the next generation the ashes of friends may be disturbed 
by the unfeeling operations of strangers, we are compelled to 
give preference to public over private cemeteries. 

Even these are not quite secure. A few years since, in mak- 
ing a street to Harmony Grove the remains of hundreds of cit- 
izens were disinterred in what was understood to be the oldest 
burial ground in Salem. One stone marked "R. B. 1640," was 
found, supposed to indicate the grave of Robert BufTum, a gen- 
tleman of that age. 

Near this, on Poole's Hill, is one of the oldest and niost ex- 
tensive of the public cemeteries. Here rest the remains of 
Cook, Daland, and Goldthwait, patriots who fell at the Battle 
of Lexington, and of the reverend pastors. Holt and Walker, 
who alone, of the large number who have officiated as pastors 
in the South Parish, died with their harness on. 

But what more than anything else excites the curiosity of 
strangers is the burial place of Miss Elizabeth Whitman, the 
original of Eliza Wharton, immortalized by a lady, wife of a 



?^ 



49 

clergyman at Brighton, as the American Coquette. A constant 
pilgrimage to her grave has been performed until the path is 
firmly beaten, and the monument which is of freestone is nearly 
crumbled in ruins. Tradition speaks of this lady as possessing 
superior charms, both menial and personal. She was of good 
family, and basely betrayed. While her deviations from the 
path of virtue may start the tear of pity, her follies should not 
be overlooked. A misapplied sympathy for her, may be used 
as an apology by others. When we witness the manner in 
which the populace of our own times are led captive by the at- 
tractions of those not less exceptionable, it is not surprising that 
there should be found many a sympathizing devotee at the 
shrine of this unfortunate lady. Here on the banks of this 
beautiful stream that flows in our midst, will be found the earli- 
est and latest graves of Old Salem. Who that has followed 
the mournful hearse, laden with the last remains of friends be- 
loved, slowly winding its way over marsh and dale to this 
" Harmonious Grove," will not involuntarily exclaim, 

" From every grave a thousand virtues rise, 
In shapes of mercy, charity and love, 
To walk the world and bless it. Of every tear 
That sorrowing mortals shed on these green graves 
Some good is born, some gentler nature comes .^" 

POPULATION. 

There is no certain data to ascertain the number of inhabit- 
ants in the town at the time of the separation. The number 
of persons named in the first assessment of taxes, is 280, which, 
multiplied by five, will give 1400. The number did not ex- 
ceed this ; it may not have been more than 1200. It has in- 
creased as follows, viz. : — 

1752, . . . 1400, 



1783, 
1800, 
1810, 
1820, 
1830, 
1840, 

7 g 



1921, 
2643, 
3127, 
3646, 

4228, 
5020, 



50 

1850, . . . 8110, 

1852, . . . 8400, 
being six times the number there were one hundred years be- 
fore. The number has actually doubled within the last twenty 
years, and is now going on, increasing as fast as at any other 
period. The improved facilities of communication have brought 
us within a half hour's time of the Capital. 

RAILROADS. 

For many years Danvers struggled hard for railroad accom- 
modation. She had to contend with the monied aristocracy of 
the Commonwealth. Through mistaken influences, the Eastern 
Railroad had been located across the water to East Boston, and 
through the tunnel at Salem, both of which were egregious 
errors ; and a determination was formed to constrain the travel 
in that direction, but it was found 7io go ; the people were not 
to be driven Avhere they did not incline to go. Finally a land 
route was opened from Salem, through Danvers, to Boston ; 
which, if the people of Danvers had been wise enough to keep 
within their own control, as they should have done, would 
have greatly benefited them, and equally annoyed the Eastern 
Road ; but they were outwitted, and the boon escaped their 
grasp. Two other roads have been laid through the town, 
towards the Merrimack, where but one was needed. A million 
of dollars has been laid out where half a million would have 
done better, if it had been judiciously expended. The conse- 
quence is, we have all the "noise and confusion" of railroad 
movement, with indifferent accommodations, under the direction 
of those who have hitherto shown very little disposition to 
accommodate. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Justice demands a more distinct notice of those individuals 
who have taken a prominent part in the concerns of the town, 
and been identified with it, than has been given in the rapid 
description of incidents presented. The characteristics of a 
town are necessarily the result of individual efforts. Among 



V, 



51 

■^ those, who have left the deepest impress on its character, will 
be found 

Daniel Eppes, Esq., 
Capt. Samuel Gardner, 
Capt. John Proctor, 

Nathaniel Putnam, 

Joseph Putnam, 

Samuel Holten, 

William Shillaber, 

Gideon Foster, 

Israel Hutchinson, 
Dr. Amos Putnam, 

Nathan Felton, 

Edward Soiithwick, 

Samuel Page, 

Squiers Shove, 

Elias Putnam, 

Jonathan Shove, 

Daniel P. King. 
Of those who will be entitled to be remembered on the page 
of history, the following may be mentioned : — 
Gen. Israel Putnam, 
Gen. Gideon Foster, 
Gen. Moses Porter, 
Dr. Samuel Holten, 
Col. Israel Hutchinson, 
Dr. Amos Putnam, 
Rev. Peter Clark, 
Rev. Benjamin Wads worth, 
Col. Jeremiah Page, 
Capt. Samuel Page, 
Capt. Samuel Flint, 
Col. Enoch Putnam, 
Capt. Samuel Eppes, 
Hon. Timothy Pickering, 
Hon. Nathaniel Bowditch, 
Hon. Daniel P. King. 



52 

Of those good men who lived long and well, and were con- 
tent so to do, without any proclamation made of it, the follow- 
ing should not be overlooked : — 

Levi Preston, 

Caleb Oakes, 

Johnson Proctor, 

Eleazer Putnam, 

Fitch Poole, 

Ebenezer Shillaber, 

Stephen Needham, 

Samuel King, 

Malachi Felton, 

Ebenezer King, 

Moses Preston, 

Stephen Proctor. 

BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. GIDEON FOSTER. 

Identified with the town of Danvers will ever be the name 
of Gen. Gideon Foster. Born in 1749, and coming upon the 
stage of life just as the town came into being, he grew with 
its growth, and continued nearly through its first century. His 
father was of Boxford. His mother was Lydia Goldthwait, a 
descendant of an early family in Danvers. 

At the beginning of the Revolution, then in the vigor of 
manhood, full of patriotic ardor and physical energy, he was 
called to scenes of trial and danger in the battles of Lexington 
and Bunker Hill, and there established a reputation for valor 
that was never tarnished. Often have I listened with admira- 
tion to the narrative of the eventful scenes through which he 
passed. 

On the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, he started, with 
the consent of Col. Pickering, commander of the regiment of 
Salem and vicinity, at the head of his company of minute-men; 
and with such ardor did they move, that they passed on foot 
sixteen miles, in four hoiirs, to West Cambridge, where they 
met the enemy, on their return from Concord, near Lexington. 
Intent on the purpose in view, regardless of personal danger, 



T 



53 

^ when they heard the troops approaching, unmindful of their 
number, they took their station in a barn-yard by the road-side, 
and when they were directly opposite, they poured into them 
an effectual fire. Immediately they withdrew, under the cover 
of the woods, behind the hill, and were there met by the flank 
guard, when seven of their number were shot dead, and as 
many more wounded. Their names are inscribed on yonder 
monument, and will continue to awaken the liveliest emotions 
of freedom, in the breasts of patriots of every land, while the 
granite of our hills shall endure. 

The facts relating to this engagement I had from Dennison 
Wallis and the General himself, together with the further fact, 
that he discharged his own musket at the enemy twelve times, 
loaded with two balls each time, with well-directed aim. And 
as he was remarkable for being a good shot, there can be no 
doubt he made his mark upon their ranks. 

For more than seventy years. Gen. Foster was one of the 
most active and influential citizens of the town. For the last 
thirty years, it was his ambition to be the first to deposit his 
ballot, in all important elections. So unerring was his judg- 
ment, that he never failed to be the file leader of the majority, 
or wavered from the genuine Whig principles of '76. In his 
time, there was no doubt where Danvers would be found. 
Since his departure, there have arisen those who knew not 
Gideon, and the result has occasionally corresponded with this 
want of knowledge. 

Gen. Foster will long be remembered for his private as well 
as his public virtues. Tried in no small measure by the hard- 
ships of adversity, his innate integrity never yielded to tempta- 
tion. Through life, he sustained the character of an honest 
man. Who does not remember with admiration that venerable 
form, bending under the infirmities of more than ninety years, 
as he guided his plough upon his scanty acres, or harnessed his 
horse to attend upon the temple of the Lord ; and with what 
humility he bowed before the Deity, whom he so reverently 
worshipped ? 

His virtues will ever be enshrined in our hearts, though (to 



54 

our reproach be it spoken) no 7nonument marks the resting- 
place of his ashes. His epitaph may now be supposed to read, 
Died Nov. 1, 1845, aged 96| years, — 

" By strangers honored and by strangers mourned." * 
BIOGRAPHY OF GEN. MOSES PORTER. 

Moses Porter was born at Danvers, in 1757. He was an 
officer in tlie artillery service, under General Putnam, at Bunker 
Hill, and particularly distinguished for the bravery with which 
he fought. He was with Washington at the battle of Brandy- 
wine, and wounded at Trenton, on the Delaware. At the close 
of the Revolutionary war, he was the only officer of artillery 
retained on the peace establishment. He was with General 
Wayne, at his celebrated engagement with the Indians in 1794. 
He was commander at the taking of Fort George, in 1813; — 
and in many other positions during the war on the Western 
frontier. He was a soldier, and a brave one ; — uniting in an 
extraordinary manner, the suaviter in modo with the fortiter in 
re. I have heard him say, whenever danger or difficulty was 
apprehended, he threw off his epaulette and pliime, and putting 
on his tight cap and short jacket, he wore them until all dis- 
turbing elements had passed away. 

At the beginning of the war of 1812, he commanded at the 
port of Norfolk, and with such firmness were the enemy re- 
pulsed on their first visit, that they never found it convenient 
to call a second time. 

He was an upright, honorable man, of mien dignified and 
commanding ; a rigid disciplinarian ; a Washingtonian in senti- 
ment ; of unwavering courage ; uniting all the urbanities of the 
gentleman, with the inflexible firmness of the soldier. Danvers 
may be proud of furnishing, in Putnam and Porter, two as res- 

* Here let me say, that the same envelope that contained the donation from 
George Peabody, Esq., of London, of $20,000 for the promotion of education 
and morality among us, authorized me to subscribe, in behalf of the donor, 
the sum of fifty dollars towards a monument to the memory of the General, as 
soon as a corresponding sympathy shall be awakened in the bosoms of his 
fellow-townsmen. 



55 

^%r oliite soldiers as ever preceded Zacliary Taylor or Winfield 
Scott in the service of their country. 

Gen. Porter died at Cambridge, April, 1822, aged 65. His 
remains rest in the family burial-ground at Danvers. 

SUMMARY VIEW. 

A summary view of the condition of the town of Danvers, at 
the close of the first century of its independent existence, shows 
the following facts, viz. : — 

Population, . . . . 8,110 
Yaluation, . . . |3,294,800 

Estimated Annual Payments, — 

For Religious Instruction, . . $10,000 

For support of Free Schools, . 10,000 

For support of the Poor, . . 5,000 

For ordinary Municipal purposes, 5,000 

I use round numbers, omitting fractions. A large part of the 
population are now engaged in mechanical and manufactiuring 
pursuits. Many have recently come in, and can hardly be 
reckoned as permanent settlers. The facilities for employment 
are constantly enlarging ; and with the increasing facilities of 
intercourse through all parts of the country, and the continued 
industrial habits that have ever been the distinguishing charac- 
teristic of the town, imagination can hardly set bounds to the 
advances to be made.* 



* On the next page will be found a table explanatory of the finances of 
Danvers. 

Biographical sketches of most of those named on page 51, had been pre- 
pared ; but they are omitted, to give place to more interesting matters, that 
sprung up on the day of the celebration. 



56 



CONCLUDING REMARKS. 



Descendants of the pioneers at Danvers ! of Endicott, of 
Putnam, of Porter, of Preston, of Felton, of Waters, of Trask, 
of Osborn, and a host of others. Why have yon come together 
this day ? Is it not to gain instruction from the contemplation 
of the deeds of your fathers ? 

Be animated by the]! patriotism ; — be purified by ihevc piety ; 
— be admonished by their follies; — be encouraged by their 
industry ; — and in all things, wherein they were found worthy, 

Valuations and Assessments in Danvers, from 1827 to 1852. 



Year. 


Valuation. 


Per cent, of Town Tax. 


Assessment. 


1827 


$1,870,700 


.34 


$6,360 38 


1828 


2,017,600 


.32 


6,456 32 


1829 


2,087,350 


.32 


6,679 52 


1830 


2,033,500 


.44 


8,947 40 


1831 


2,181,700 


.31.8 


6,.58l 78 


1832 


2,264,050 


..32 


7,244 96 


1833 


2,263,050 


.36 


8,146 98 


1834 


2,212,750 


.35.5 


7,855 26 


18.35 


2,215,900 


.35.5 


7,866 44 


1836 


2,.321,750 


.34.5 


8,010 04 


1837 


1,862,750 


.50 


9,313 75 


1838 


1,848,950 


.44 


8,135 38 


1839 


1,892.300 


.44 


8,326 12 


1840 


1,971,500 


.50 


9,857 50 


1841 


2,029,800 


.43 


8,728 14 


1842 


2,077,000 


.46 


9,554 20 


1843 


2,094,300 


.45 


9,404 35 


1844 


2,143,600 


.50 


10,718 00 


1845 


2,373,800 


.62 


14,717 56 


1846 


2,528,700 


.72 


18,406 64 


1847 


2,594,100 


.63 


16,342 83 


1848 


2,708,300 


.56 


15,166 48 


1849 


2,810,200 


.56 


15,737 12 


1850 


3,077,100 


.70 


21,539 70 


1851 


3,186,300 


.82 


26,127 66 


1852 


3,294,500 


.76 


25,038 20 



Thus it appears, while the property in town has not doubled, taxation has 
increased fourfold. It should also be remembered, that the highway, county, 
district, and religious taxes, usually amount to as much as the town tax. The 
amount of taxation in the town is not less than ten dollars annually on each 
thousand dollars of property. 

This table has been compiled with care, and will afford to the curious in- 
quirer the best possible index of the progress and the management of the 
concerns of the town. It should serve as an admonition to the citizens to keep 
their expenditures within their means ; — a lesson of late too little regarded. 



y\ 



57 

strive to imitate their example. How can you better show 
yourselves worthy of your parentage ? 

Here, where once grew the bluebeny and the alder, and the 
frog and the turtle timed their notes -without annoyance, now 
spouts the steam engine, rolls the railroad car, and resounds the 
busy hum of industry of every description. Here the gushing 
fountains pour out resources inexhaustible through the tannin 
from the bark of the mountain. On the hills made fertile by 
the skill ; — on the plains enriched by the toils ; — on the mead- 
ows reclaimed by the art, of those who first landed on these 
forbidding shores, will ever be found rich mementos of their 
wisdom and their worth. 

Though, in your coffers, the pearls of the Indies, or the glit- 
tering sands of California, may not abound, still, while the 
unfaultering hearts and strong arms of freem,en are yours, no 
danger need be feared. The combined power of learning, 
liberty, and law, will be your cegis of 'protection in every emer- 
gency. 

In conclusion, allow me to cite the following beautiful lines : — 

" There is a land, of every land the pride, 
Beloved of Heaven o'er all the world beside ; 
There is a spot of earth supremely blest, 
A dearer, sweeter spot, than all the rest. 

There woman reigns, — the mother, daughter, wife, 
Strews with fresh flowers the thorny path of life. 
Amidst her walks domestic duties meet, 
And fireside pleasures gambol at her feet. 

. Where shall that Zanrf, that apoi ©/"carf^ be found ? 
Art thou a man .' a patriot ? look around ! 
Oh thou shalt find, where'er thy footsteps roam, 
That land ^ country, and that spot Qv^ home.** 



7 



5S 



CONTENTS OF THE ADDRESS. 



Introdnctory Kemarks, - 








S 


Ancient Naumkeag, . . . . 






9 


Name of Danvers, . . . . 






& 


Grant of land to Capt. John Endicott, - 






7 


" " " to Eev. Samuel Skelton, - 









" *' " to John Humphrey, Esq., 






ft 


" " " to John Putnam and Sons, 






u 


" " " to Emanuel Downing, 








u 


Witchcraft Delusion, 








iatoi9 


Revolutionary Incidents, - 








19 to 23 


Battle of Lexington, 








23 


Battle of Bunker Hill, - 








24 


Heroes of the Revolntion, 








28« 


Extraordinary Age of Soldiers, - 








26. 


Eeligious Worship, 








27 to 32 


Education, and Free Schools, 








32 to 36 


Paupers, Support of, &c., 








36 to 38 


Temperance movements, 








38 to 39 


Business of the Town, - 








- 39 to 40 


Official Stations, - 








• 41 to 44 


Medical Profession, 








44 to 45 


Legal ProfessioB, 








46 


African Slavery, - 








47 


Burial Places, 








48 


Population of the Town, 








49 


Bailroads, . - • > 








60 


Gideon Foster, notice <^ - 








62 to 54 


Moses Port«, notice at, - 


• 




. 64 to 65 


Financial TsWa, > 




• 




5« 



-t^l 



APPENDIX. 



THE PEABODY DONATION. 

London, 26th May, 1852. 
Gentlemen : 

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, inviting 
me to be present at the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary 
of the separation of Danvers from Salem, on the 16th of June, or, if 
not able to attend, to signify, by letter, my interest in the occasion. 

I am very sorry that my engagements allow me to comply only with 
the latter part of your request. 

I should have the greatest pleasure in joining in your interesting 
celebration there, if possible. The early associations of my life are 
clustered around our ancient town. It was, as many of you know, in 
a very humble house in the South Parish that I was born, and from the 
Common Schools of that Parish, such as they were in 1803 to 1807, 
I obtained the limited education my parents' means could afford ; but 
to the principles there inculcated in childhood and early youth, I owe 
much of the foundation for such success as Heaven has been pleased 
to grant me during a long business life. Though my manhood, before 
coming to England, was spent in Baltimore, (which shares with my 
native town in my kindest feelings,) I still cherish the recollections of 
my earlier days, and anticipate, with much pleasure, a visit to the Old 
Parish, that I may witness the great strides I am told you have been 
making in wealth and improvements. 

It is now nearly sixteen years since I left my native country, but I 
can say with truth that absence has only deepened my interest in her 
welfare. During this interval I have seen great changes in her wealth, 
«* in her power, and in her position among nations. I have had the mor- 

tification to witness the social standing of Americans in Europe very 
seriously affected, and to feel that it was not entirely undeserved ; but, 



60 

thank Heaven, I have lived to see the cause nearly annihilated by the 
energy, industry, and honesty of my countrymen, — thereby creating 
between the people of the two great nations speaking the English 
language, and governed by liberal and free institutions, a more cordial 
and kind feeling than has existed at any other time. The great increase 
of population and commerce of the United States, — the development 
of the internal wealth of the country and enterprise of her people, have 
done much to produce this happy change, and I can scarcely see 
bounds to our possible future, if we preserve harmony among ourselves 
and good faith to the rest of the world, and if we plant the unrivalled 
New England institution of the Common School liberally among the 
emigrants who are filling up the great valley of the Mississippi. That 
this may be done, is, I am persuaded, no less your wish than mine. 

I enclose a sentiment, which I ask may remain sealed till this letter 
is read on the day of celebration, when it is to be opened according to 
the direction on the envelope. 

With great respect, 

I have the honor to be, 

Your fellow-townsman, 

GEORGE PEABODY. 
To Messrs. John W. Proctor, Andrew Nichols and others. 

The endorsement on the envelope was as follows : — 

[The seal of this is not to be broken till the toasts are being pro- 
posed by the chairman, at the dinner 16th June, at Danvers, in com- 
memoration of the one hundredth year since its severance from Salem. 
It contains a sentiment for the occasion from George Peabody, of 
London.] 

By George Peabody, of London : 

" Education — A debt due from present to future generations." 

In acknowledgment of the payment of that debt by the generation 
which preceded me in my native town of Danvers, and to aid in its 
prompt future discharge, I give to the inhabitants of that town the sum 
of Twenty Thousand Dollars, for the promotion of knowledge 
and morality among them. 

I beg to remark, that the subject of making a gift to my native town 
has for some years occupied my mind, and I avail myself of your 
present interesting festival to make the communication, in the hope 
^hat it will add to the pleasures of the day, 






61 

I annex to the gift such conditions only as I deem necessary for its 
preservation and the accomplishment of the purposes before named. 
The conditions are, that the legal voters of the town, at a meeting to 
be held at a convenient time after the 16th June, shall accept the gift, 
and shall elect a committee of not less than twelve persons, to receive 
and have charge of the same, for the purpose of establishing a Lyceum 
for the delivery of lectures, upon such subjects as may be designated 
by a committee of the town, free to all the inhabitants, under such 
rules as said committee may from time to time enact ; and that a 
Library shall be obtained, which shall also be free to the inhabitants, 
under the direction of the committee. 

That a suitable building for the use of the Lyceum shall be erected, 
at a cost, including the land, fixtures, furniture, &c., not exceeding 
Seven Thousand dollars, and shall be located within one third of a mile 
of the Presbyterian Meeting-House occupying the spot of that formerly 
under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Walker, in the South Parish of 
Danvers. 

That Ten Thousand dollars of this gift shall be invested by the town's 
committee in undoubted securities as a permanent fund, and the inter- 
est arising therefrom to be expended in support of the Lyceum. 

In all other respects, I leave the disposition of the affairs of the 
Lyceum to the inhabitants of Danvers, merely suggesting that it might 
be advisable for them, by their own act, to exclude sectarian theology 
and political discussions forever from the walls of the institution. 

I will make one request of the committee, which is, if they see no 
objection, and my venerable friend Capt. Sylvester Proctor should be 
living, that he be selected to lay the corner stone of the Lyceum 
Building. Respectfully yours, 

GEORGE PEABODY. 



After the announcement of the donation by Mr. Peabody, Mr. 
Proctor remarked substantially as follows : — 

Mr. Chairman — 

1 scarcely know which to admire most, the liberality of the gift, 
or the modesty of the giver. A princely donation like this, for a pur- 
pose like this, to a place like this, is no ordinary occurrence. We 
hear of the donations of Girard, of Smithson, o[ Buzzy, and of others, 



62 

in amounts larger than this ; but where is there one, all things consid- >|Sf- 
ered, that will begin to compare with this ? Look at the sentiment 
accompanying it : " Education — A debt due from present to future 
generations." What more simple ? Still, what could be more expres- 
sive ? Look also at the recognition, by Mr. Peabody, of the Village 
School, under the shadow of the steeple of the old Church, where he, 
and I, and many others present, were first taught to lisp their A, B, C, 
and see how readily he admits, it was there " he imbibed the princi- 
ples which have been the foundation of the success, which Heaven has 
been pleased to grant him, during a long business life." Can there be 
a higher eulogy than this, upon our New England system of Free 
Schools ? 

When a boy. Sir, I knew Mr. Peabody well. Our ages were such 
that we went to the same school, and developed our physical energies 
on the same play-grounds. From the first, he was manly and honora- 
ble, as he ever since has been. Nothing small or mean about George 
Peabody. If anything wrong was done, he was the last to be sus- 
pected of doing it. I say this. Sir, for the information of those of my 
young friends, who seem to think there is something manly in being 
forward to do mischief ; in being most active in overturning outbuild- 
ings, or breaking the windows of retired gentlemen, or disturbing the 
repose of discreet young ladies. They mistake, entirely, who indulge 
any such ideas. Peabody never did any such things. While I knew 
him, he was a civil, well-behaved, trustworthy young man, — and now, 
my young friends, you see what he has ripened into ; — the first among 
the foremost of Americans in London ; a nobleman by nature, of rank 
second to none other. 

It has been my good fortune. Sir, to have repeated communications 
from Mr. Peabody since he became a man. As early as 1835, when 
he resided at Baltimore, the citizens of South Danvers undertook to 
erect a monument to the memory of those of our fellow-townsmen who 
were killed at Lexington, on the 19th of April, 1775. When we had 
raised by subscription $700, and ascertained that the structure designed 
would cost SlOOO, I advised him of the facts, and received from him a 
prompt reply, saying that " he was happy to learn that his fellow- 
townsmen of Danvers were about to do, what had been too long 
neglected, and that my draft on him, at sight, for whatever might be 
needed to complete the design, should be duly honored." The work 
was completed, and the draft was paid. 

Again, Sir, when the Church of the South Society, a new structure. 



63 

that occupied the site of the one that he describes as the " Presbyterian 
Meeting-House, where the Rev. Mr. Walker formerly was pastor," 
was destroyed by fire, the Society, with much exertion, having just 
about completed the same, my friend on my right* joined me in a note 
to Mr. Peabody, stating the facts, — to which he replied, with an appro- 
priate expression of his sympathies with the occasion, accompanied by 
a bill of exchange for fifty pounds sterlings for the use of the Society. 

Such, Sir, has been my knowledge and experience of George Pea- 
body, of London. You may well suppose, Sir, when I received from 
him a private note, accompanying the envelope that contained the 
donation, with a request that it should not be opened until the company 
were seated at dinner, because it contained " a sentiment of interest to 
the people of Danvers," that I imagined it to be a rich sentiment. I 
did indeed. Sir, so imagine. But I frankly admit, it exceeds my high- 
est imagination. 

And, Sir, what was peculiarly gratifying to me, the same note, that 
gave me this information, also authorized me to subscribe in his behalf 
the sum oi fifty dollars, towards the erection of an appropriate monu- 
ment at the grave of our late fellow-townsman, the venerable Gen. 
Gideon Foster, who died at the age of 96, with a character for indus- 
try, honor, and integrity, rarely equalled. 

Such, Sir, are a few of the acts of this model of a man, that Danvers 
feels proud to call her own. May those, who are still of Danvers, 
show themselves to be worthy of his bounty. May it be received and 
managed in a manner most gratifying to the giver. May no local 
jealousies, or meaner passions, be suffered to enter here. May those 
of Danvers, in fifty -two, show themselves to be worthy their sires of 
Seventy-Six. 

* Hon. Robert S. Daniel*, 



ERRATA. 

la the Note on page 34, instead of the thre. 1« . 

''^"*^'"^^'^«t°''»e8,a« printed, read 
C. •Ezekiel Marsh, v i 

•Augustus E. Daniels w ^^' 

Thomas M.Stin,i;on It ^®^^- 

"i«on, Amherst. 1850. 



